Second Round of Iran–U.S. Talks Set for Tuesday in Geneva
WANA (Feb 15) – Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs announced that the second round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States will be held on Tuesday in Geneva, emphasizing that “the ball is now in America’s court.”
Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, made the remarks in an interview addressing the ongoing diplomatic process between Tehran and Washington.
“The ball is in America’s court to prove that it wants to reach an agreement,” he said. “If they are sincere, I am confident we will be on the path toward a deal.”
Focus on Sanctions and the Nuclear File
Takht-Ravanchi stated that if Washington is prepared to discuss sanctions, Iran is ready to engage on that issue as well as other matters related to its nuclear program.
Asked whether Tehran would agree — as it did under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action — to transfer abroad its stockpile of 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, he said it was too early to predict how negotiations would unfold.
“Our understanding is that the Americans have concluded that if you want an agreement, you must focus on the nuclear issue,” he added.
However, the deputy foreign minister stressed that “zero enrichment is no longer an issue” and is not on the negotiating table as far as Iran is concerned.
Missile Program ‘Not Up for Discussion’
Takht-Ravanchi also reiterated Tehran’s refusal to discuss its ballistic missile program with Washington.
“When we were attacked by the Israelis and the Americans, our missiles came to our aid,” he said. “How can we accept depriving ourselves of our defensive capabilities?”
Regional Context and U.S. Presence
Addressing Washington’s posture during the talks, he said the United States has publicly expressed interest in negotiations and has conveyed through Oman in private communications that it seeks a peaceful resolution.
Regarding the presence of U.S. forces in the region, the senior Iranian official warned that if Iran perceives an existential threat, it will respond proportionately.
He added that Iran has been engaged in intensive consultations with regional countries and noted what he described as a near-unified regional consensus against war.
“We hope to resolve this through diplomacy,” Takht-Ravanchi said, while cautioning that Iran must remain vigilant and avoid being caught off guard.
He confirmed that the upcoming Geneva meeting marks the second round of negotiations and described the talks so far as having moved “more or less in a positive direction,” though he stressed it remains too early for a definitive judgment.
Iranian Foreign Minister Heads to Indirect Nuclear Talks Venue in Muscat. Social media / WANA News Agency
