Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that a nuclear deal with Washington was “within reach” ahead of renewed negotiations this week. In a post on X, he described a historic opportunity to strike an agreement addressing mutual concerns and shared interests.
He stressed that progress depended on diplomacy taking priority over threats and military pressure in an already tense region. Iran and the United States are set to hold a third round of nuclear talks on Thursday in Geneva.
The negotiations resume after contacts earlier this month, reviving a fragile channel that has often collapsed under pressure. Talks unfold amid heavy American military deployments and warnings from Donald Trump of possible strikes if diplomacy fails.
Tehran has warned that any attack, even limited, would be considered an act of aggression requiring firm retaliation. Araghchi reiterated that Iran would never develop a nuclear weapon under any circumstances.
He maintained, however, that Iran has the sovereign right to pursue peaceful nuclear technology for energy and research. Last year, Tehran and Washington held five rounds of negotiations before fighting with Israel derailed diplomatic efforts.
Israel launched an unprecedented attack on Iran, igniting a 12-day war that drew regional powers closer to confrontation. The United States briefly joined the conflict with strikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iran responded with drone and missile attacks on Israel and targeted the largest US military base in the region, located in Qatar. Despite years of suspicion, Iran continues to deny ambitions to build a nuclear weapon. As diplomats prepare to meet in Geneva, the path to agreement remains narrow, edged by mistrust and guarded by force.