Washington and Tehran take a step towards an agreement that does not seem close
The US and Iran have taken steps towards resolving their escalating dispute, but a final agreement is still distant according to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The United States and Iran seem to be inching towards an agreement amid rising tensions, though Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi cautioned that a final deal remains far off. The two countries held their second indirect negotiation session in Geneva, hosted at the Omani embassy, highlighting the ongoing efforts to bridge differences despite the significant challenges ahead.
In this latest round of talks, which took place against the backdrop of increased US military presence in the region and fears of a broader conflict, Araghchi described the negotiations as more serious than the previous ones. He noted that various ideas were discussed aiming to pave the way for potential deals, but he stressed that this does not imply an imminent agreement. His comments reflect a strategic approach to managing expectations while negotiations are ongoing.
Additionally, by emphasizing the term "deal" rather than "agreement," Araghchi signals a careful negotiation strategy where both sides will present drafts of their proposals for discussion. The lack of an immediate comment from the US side following the talks adds to the atmosphere of uncertainty, with attention now on how both sides will proceed in the future, especially given the geopolitical stakes involved in their contentious relationship.