Tehran is looking for a “practical proposal to guarantee the absence of nuclear weapons while safeguarding its peaceful nuclear rights,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Russian channel RT.
This is how Iran is preparing for the next round of talks with the US, even as Tehran watches Washington’s moves closely.
For instance, the Islamic Republic knows that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Washington for talks with US President Donald Trump. It also saw that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner recently visited the US carrier strike force that is not far from the coast of Iran. In addition, reports say the US could send another carrier to the region. Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance is in Azerbaijan, north of Iran, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to visit several European countries.
Iran seeks nuclear rights guarantees in US talks
Iran’s IRNA reported that “speaking in an interview with RT on Tuesday, Araghchi said Iran is prepared to offer guarantees that it will not pursue nuclear weapons, and at the same time, the other side needs to guarantee Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear technology for electricity generation, medicine production, agriculture, and other uses.” He is acting flexible, saying a deal is doable and achievable.
“He said Iran is fully committed to a diplomatic settlement with the US while simultaneously bracing for the possibility of a renewed war.”
Araghchi also said, “There is no solution but a diplomatic solution” to the nuclear issue, asserting that technology and progress cannot be destroyed through bombings and military threats. “We still do not have full trust in Americans,” he said. “We were in the middle of negotiations last June when they decided to attack us. That was a very bad experience for us.”
Meanwhile, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani met with Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha on Wednesday. This is another avenue Iran is pursuing. Larijani has acted as a kind of problem solver recently, going to several countries as Iran faces pressure.
“The meeting took place at the Amiri Diwan palace on Wednesday during the second leg of Larijani’s regional tour, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and expanding dialogue on regional and international developments,” IRNA said. Qatar is a major non-NATO ally of the US. It also has amicable ties with Iran.
Iran’s state media added, “The visit comes as part of a series of intensive diplomatic engagements by the Iranian official with regional leaders in recent days, focusing on enhancing cooperation and consultation on shared issues. Larijani, who also serves as an adviser to the leader of the Islamic Revolution, had earlier visited Muscat, where he held talks with senior Omani officials, including Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and the country’s foreign minister, Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi.”
Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi has spoken about the talks he held with Larijani in Muscat. Al Busaidi wrote on X/Twitter about the “productive meeting with Iran’s National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani. We discussed recent developments, especially the Iran-US talks. Regional peace and security is our priority, and we urge restraint and wise compromise.”
Meanwhile, in Hungary, Iran’s envoy gave a speech about the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.
During what Iran described as a grand ceremony held at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Budapest, Ambassador Morteza Moradian stated, “Today marks 47 years since the great revolution of the Iranian people – a revolution that was the manifestation of a nation’s will relying on faith, historical identity, and the desire for independence. Through their participation in the millions, they brought about the change of a regime that prioritized foreign interests over the will of the people.”
He also indicated Iran is committed to diplomacy. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also heading to Slovakia and Hungary. This may be why Iran spotlighted the speech in Hungary, which is also in the midst of an election cycle.