In a statement on Wednesday, Iran’s chief diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, mentioned that Tehran is in the process of formulating a structure for future discussions with the United States. This comes as US Energy Secretary emphasized that the US will halt Iran’s nuclear aspirations through various means.
Diplomatic initiatives are actively ongoing to prevent the likelihood of US military interference in Iran, with Washington increasing its military presence in the area.
Following last year’s breakdown of talks triggered by Israel’s assault on Iran in June, sparking a 12-day conflict, Iran and the US engaged in a second round of negotiations mediated by Oman in Geneva on Tuesday.
Araghchi stated on Tuesday that Tehran and Washington had reached an understanding on fundamental principles. However, US Vice President JD Vance remarked that Iran had not fully recognized all of the US’s key requirements.
Additionally, Araghchi had a discussion on Wednesday with Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), underlining Iran’s commitment to formulating an initial and cohesive framework to progress future talks, as per a statement from the Iranian foreign ministry.
On the same day, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright issued a warning that the US would prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons by any means necessary, citing the unacceptable nature of such an outcome during a press briefing in Paris held alongside International Energy Agency meetings.
Earlier in the day, Reza Najafi, Iran’s permanent representative to the IAEA in Vienna, met jointly with Grossi and the ambassadors of China and Russia to discuss the upcoming session of the agency’s board of governors meetings and updates related to Iran’s nuclear program, as reported by Iran’s mission in Vienna.
Tehran has suspended some cooperation with the IAEA and limited the access of the agency’s inspectors to sites targeted by Israel and the US, alleging bias by the UN organization and its failure to condemn the attacks.
Shows of military strength
The talks facilitated by Oman aimed to prevent potential military actions by the US, while Iran is calling for the removal of US sanctions that are severely impacting its economy.
Iran has stipulated that the discussions focus solely on the nuclear matter, whereas Washington has previously pushed for Iran’s ballistic missile program and backing of armed groups in the region to also be addressed.
US President Donald Trump has made repeated threats of military intervention against Iran, initially in response to a violent crackdown on demonstrators last month and more recently concerning its nuclear activities.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog conveyed well wishes to the Iranian people for Ramadan, expressing hope for an end to the current situation and a positive transformation in the Middle East, as per a statement from his office.
Washington has dispatched two aircraft carriers to the vicinity, with the USS Abraham Lincoln, carrying nearly 80 aircraft, positioned approximately 700 kilometers (435 miles) from the Iranian coast based on satellite imagery from Sunday.
Iran has also showcased its military capabilities, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commencing military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday.
Iranian officials have repeatedly threatened to block the strait, a critical global passage for oil and gas shipments.
State TV reported on Tuesday that Tehran would temporarily close segments of the waterway for safety reasons during the exercises.
Iran’s supreme leader cautioned on Tuesday that the country possesses the capacity to sink a US warship deployed to the Gulf.
