The Iranian Foreign Minister, who met with his Russian counterpart Lavrov, stated that they saw the seriousness of the US in the first round of nuclear talks and mentioned that reaching an agreement is possible.

After their meeting in Moscow, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made statements at a joint press conference. The agenda of the two ministers also included the nuclear talks between the US and Iran scheduled to take place in Rome, Italy tomorrow. Arakchi expressed hope for Russia to play a role in a possible nuclear agreement. Referring to the indirect talks held with the US in Oman last Saturday, the Iranian minister stated, “We saw the seriousness of the other party in the initial talks, and it is possible for us to reach an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program.” Lavrov, his Russian counterpart, also mentioned that Iran is ready to reach an agreement within the framework of a nuclear disarmament treaty and that Russia is prepared to play whatever role necessary in this context.

“OUR VIEWS HAVE NEVER BEEN THIS CLOSE”

According to reports from the Russian state news agency TASS, Arakchi, during his meeting with Lavrov, pointed out that Tehran and Moscow’s views on world developments have never been as closely aligned. Arakchi stated, “Russia and Moscow’s approaches have never been as close and strong throughout the history of their relationship.” Emphasizing that his meeting with Lavrov was “meaningful and very good,” the Iranian Foreign Minister noted that he had delivered a letter from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling to the entire world that Iran sees Russia as a strategic partner and an important neighbor.

Arakchi added that the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement between the two countries sets a solid foundation for elevating bilateral relations to a “new level.”

US AND IRANIAN DELEGATIONS TO MEET IN ROME ON APRIL 19

President Donald Trump, who unilaterally pulled the US out of the nuclear agreement with Iran in 2018, had sent a letter last month to Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei, calling for direct nuclear negotiations. Iran had responded to the letter through Oman. Following the exchange of letters, Iran and the US had conducted indirect talks in Oman on April 12. Both parties had announced that the negotiations were “positive and constructive.”

They had declared that they would meet again on April 19. The second round of talks, which were initially announced to take place in Oman, were disclosed to be held in Rome, Italy.

Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s Middle East Special Envoy, had stated in a recent interview with Fox News that they had agreed to Iran enriching uranium to 3.67% as stipulated in the 2015 nuclear agreement. However, Witkoff later mentioned that Iran should stop enriching uranium. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi had expressed readiness to address concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear program but asserted that his country would not negotiate its right to uranium enrichment.