US Must Drop Excessive Demands in Nuclear Negotiations with Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi has emphasized the importance of seriousness and realism in achieving a successful outcome in nuclear talks with the United States.

During a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdel Ati, Aragchi stated that “success on this path requires seriousness and realism on the part of the other side and avoidance of any miscalculation and excessive demands.” He did not provide further details on what these demands are.

Aragchi’s comments come after previous statements where he described progress in the talks and highlighted the intensity of the last round of negotiations in Geneva. However, his latest remarks suggest a more cautious approach.

The US has been seeking Iran to dismantle its nuclear infrastructure entirely, limit its arsenal of ballistic missiles, and stop supporting regional allies. In contrast, Tehran has shown flexibility on discussing limitations on the enrichment of uranium for civilian use but remains unwilling to negotiate on certain issues.

US President Donald Trump has expressed support for a diplomatic resolution to the standoff, while repeatedly threatening to take military action if Iran does not accept a deal. The US has deployed its largest military arsenal in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, including the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier, which arrived in Israel’s port city of Haifa on Friday.

Iran has stated that it will not initiate a war but is prepared to respond if attacked, threatening to strike bases used by US forces in the region. The military build-up has raised concerns about a potential regional conflict.

In response to the tensions, China has advised its citizens to evacuate from Iran “as soon as possible,” while the US has authorized the departure of non-emergency embassy staff from Israel and other countries have issued similar orders.

Source: Al Jazeera