WANA (Jun 09) – The spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry emphasized in an interview that if Washington’s intention in the Oman-mediated negotiations is to deprive Iran of its legitimate rights and benefits from a peaceful nuclear program, this will cause disruptions in the negotiation process and lead to disagreements between the two sides.

 

Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Foreign Ministry, stated on Monday regarding the indirect talks with the United States over Iran’s nuclear program: “If there is a will, there is a way. In fact, I believe there is more than one path forward.”

 

Baghaei said: “We have shown sufficient flexibility to negotiate over our nuclear program. We are fully confident—100 percent—that our nuclear activities are in full compliance with international law and are entirely peaceful. At the same time, we have expressed our readiness to take significant steps, including allowing more inspections and accepting certain time-bound limitations to ensure our program remains exclusively peaceful.”

 

He added: “The point is, if the other side’s goal is to ensure that Iran does not pursue nuclear weapons, that is easily achievable. But if their intention is to deprive Iran of its rights and interests in peaceful nuclear energy, I believe that would be a point of contention and could complicate the negotiation process.”

 

Referring to the need to lift unlawful sanctions, Baghaei stressed: “Another key issue is the sanctions that have been illegally imposed on Iran—which we consider entirely illegitimate. These must be effectively lifted so we can have normal banking and economic relations with the rest of the world.”

Iranian negotiating team in U.S. talks. Social media

Iranian negotiating team in U.S. talks. Social media/ WANA News Agency

So far, Iran and the United States have held five rounds of indirect negotiations mediated by Oman, taking place in Muscat and Rome. While Washington has issued conflicting statements about how to limit Iran’s nuclear program, it has recently submitted a written proposal for a potential agreement. Iranian officials have confirmed they are preparing an appropriate response to the letter.

 

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi announced during Sunday’s cabinet meeting that a formal reply to the U.S. proposal will be issued soon.