Iran's FM says nuclear talks to continue if US shows 'necessary seriousness'

TEHRAN -- Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that indirect talks will continue if Iran comes to the conclusion that the United States has the "necessary seriousness" to reach a negotiated solution to Tehran's nuclear issue.

He made the remarks at a press conference in Tehran while elaborating on the indirect nuclear talks held on Friday between the Iranian and US delegations in the Omani capital Muscat, according to the official news agency IRNA.

He noted that there are signs suggesting the United States has the seriousness, while other indications that undermine its determination are also seen.

The Iranian foreign minister stressed that the continuation of sanctions against Iran and certain military movements in the West Asia region raises doubts about the other side's extent of seriousness and readiness.

Araghchi said that Iran will monitor and evaluate all the signs in tandem, emphasizing that the indirect talks with the United States pose no obstacle to achieving an agreement.

However, Araghchi said that issues pertaining to the talks' content, such as the US's excessive and unrealistic demands and unreasonable claims, are the real obstacles, noting that if the US approach is respectful and fair and based on safeguarding mutual interests, it will be possible to reach an agreement.

He emphasized that Iran will never give up on its right to develop and exploit peaceful nuclear energy, including uranium enrichment, noting that the negotiations' success will depend on the other side taking that issue seriously. He added that Iran's missile program has never been and will not be on the agenda of the talks with the United States, and the sole focus is, and will be, the country's nuclear program.

Also on Sunday, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Abdolrahim Mousavi said that the country is really not interested in the start of a regional war, although it is completely ready for such a scenario, while making the remarks with a group of army commanders and personnel in Tehran, IRNA reported.

Friday negotiations between the US and Iranian delegations, mediated by Oman, marked a renewed diplomatic effort amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington in view of the latter's military buildup in the region.