WANA (May 28) – Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that the date for a new round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States is expected to be finalized in the coming days, emphasizing that Tehran will not compromise on its uranium enrichment rights.

 

Speaking on the sidelines of President Pezeshkian’s official visit to Oman, Araghchi told reporters that while diplomatic consultations naturally occur during such high-level visits, “the primary purpose of this trip is not about negotiations.”

 

Talks with Oman and U.S. Negotiation Outlook

“It is natural that consultations and exchange of views take place, but this trip is not centered on negotiations,” Araghchi stated. He added, “We expect the date of the next round of talks between Iran and the United States to be set within the next few days.”

 

The foreign minister also highlighted the strength of Iran’s relationship with Oman, describing bilateral ties as being on an “excellent trajectory.”

 

“Our relations with Oman are progressing very well. Mutual respect is at its highest level, and mutual interests are the sole basis of our cooperation,” he said. “Both Iran and Oman are working in good faith to advance the interests of our nations.”

Signing of 18 Cooperation Agreements Between Iran and Oman / WANA News Agency

Signing of 18 Cooperation Agreements Between Iran and Oman / WANA News Agency

Firm Stance on Uranium Enrichment

In response to recent Western comments on Iran’s nuclear program, Araghchi reiterated Tehran’s red lines. “If the European position is zero enrichment, then we have no basis to continue nuclear talks with them,” he declared.

 

Araghchi confirmed that the date of the next round of indirect talks with the U.S. has yet to be determined, but he strongly rejected calls from European officials advocating for a complete halt to uranium enrichment in Iran.

 

“My tweet last night was in direct response to a British official who spoke of ‘zero enrichment’,” Araghchi explained. “We have continued our consultations with the three European countries, but if their position remains zero enrichment, then there will be no more discussions with them on the nuclear issue.”

 

He added pointedly, “They must clarify their position. We are not joking with anyone about enrichment.”

 

Response to UK Ambassador’s Remarks

In a post published Tuesday on the social platform X, Araghchi addressed recent remarks by UK Ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson, who supported calls by U.S. officials for Iran to completely cease its uranium enrichment activities.

 

“Iran has acted in good faith in its multilateral engagement with the UK and the remaining European parties to the JCPOA, even as the U.S. has shown little interest in involving them in the ongoing talks,” Araghchi wrote.

 

“If the UK’s position is truly ‘zero enrichment’ in Iran — a clear violation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and Britain’s own commitments as a JCPOA party — then there will no longer be any grounds for nuclear discussions between us,” he warned.

 

Previously, Peter Mandelson, the British ambassador to the U.S., expressed support for American officials’ statements on halting Iran’s uranium enrichment program, saying, “Iran must cease its uranium enrichment activities.”