WANA (Feb 16) – As Geneva once again becomes a focal point of nuclear diplomacy, a meeting is underway between Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, and Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

 

The meeting coincides with the second round of indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States.

 

Indirect Talks with Omani Mediation

According to Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, the new round of negotiations is being conducted indirectly, with mediation by Oman’s foreign minister at the Omani diplomatic mission in Geneva. On the U.S. side, Steve Witkoff, the U.S. President’s Special Envoy, is leading the American delegation.

 

The Iranian negotiating team departed Tehran on Sunday evening to attend the talks. This round follows initial discussions held in Muscat, which both sides described as “constructive,” though preliminary and without detailed technical agreements.

 

Sanctions Relief “Non-Negotiable”

The spokesperson emphasized that sanctions relief remains inseparable from any potential agreement. “The issue of lifting sanctions is an integral part of the negotiations,” he stated, underscoring Tehran’s position that progress on the nuclear file must be directly linked to economic normalization.

 

He also noted that technical experts are present in Geneva, signaling that discussions are moving beyond general political frameworks toward more specialized considerations.

 

However, he clarified that detailed issues — including the level of uranium enrichment, its scale, and the number of centrifuges — have not yet been finalized. “We have not yet reached that level of detail,” he said, indicating that the current phase remains focused on defining broader parameters.

 

A Shift Toward “Realism”?

The spokesperson added that, based on information received, the U.S. position appears to be moving in a more “realistic direction,” meaning recognition of Iran’s rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

 

He further stated that different branches of Iran’s political system have reviewed various aspects of the negotiations and reached a unified decision to utilize available diplomatic, technical, legal, and economic capacities — both within the Foreign Ministry and the Supreme National Security Council — to advance the talks efficiently.

 

Parallel Diplomatic and Technical Engagement

The Araghchi–Grossi meeting is seen as part of a parallel track: maintaining technical engagement with the UN nuclear watchdog while pursuing indirect diplomatic dialogue with Washington.

 

Following cautious but relatively positive assessments of the Muscat round, attention has now shifted to Geneva. The outcome of these talks could carry implications not only for Iran–U.S. relations, but also for regional security dynamics and global energy markets.

 

LATEST UPDATES ON IRAN-U.S. NUCLEAR TALKS / FEB 16

  WANA – Our team is closely monitoring the latest developments regarding the new round of Iran–U.S. nuclear talks here.   Iran and IAEA Chief Hold Technical Talks in Geneva Ahead of Indirect U.S. Negotiations   WANA (Feb 16) – Geneva has once again become a focal point of nuclear diplomacy as Seyed Abbas Araghchi, […]

Read More...