Iran believes that a nuclear agreement with the United States is attainable, provided Washington approaches the negotiations with realism, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated on Friday, ahead of a second round of talks with the Trump administration.
“If they show serious intent and refrain from making unrealistic demands, an agreement is possible,” Araqchi told reporters in Moscow after meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Iran had seen the U.S. demonstrate seriousness during the initial round of talks held last week in Oman, Araqchi added. The second round is scheduled for Saturday in Rome.
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened military action against Iran unless a deal on its nuclear program is reached. Iran maintains its program is for peaceful purposes, while the West claims it is aimed at developing nuclear weapons.
Lavrov expressed Russia’s willingness to “assist, mediate, and play any role that will benefit both Iran and the U.S.”
Moscow has previously played a pivotal role in Iran’s nuclear negotiations, including being a signatory to the 2015 agreement that Trump abandoned in 2018.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei sent Araqchi to Moscow with a letter for President Vladimir Putin, providing an update on the negotiations.
Earlier on Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed that while the U.S. seeks a peaceful resolution, it will never allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.