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No interim nuclear deal with US on agenda: Foreign Ministry
Pezeshkian asserts Iran’s survival despite possible failure of talks
Iran ruled out media reports that it has agreed with an interim nuclear deal and suspension of uranium enrichment for three years to reach an agreement with the US on its nuclear program.
Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei dismissed in his weekly press conference that a provisional agreement was being considered as a temporary step towards a final deal during the latest round of negotiations, which was held in Italy on Friday.
Asked about reports that Iran could freeze enrichment for three years, Baqaei said, "Iran will never accept that."
Iran is waiting for further details from mediator Oman regarding the timing of the sixth round of talks, he said.
"If there is goodwill from the American side, we are also optimistic, but if negotiations are aimed at curbing Iran's rights, then talks will get nowhere," he added.
The uranium enrichment has come into focus in recent weeks, with Iran staunchly defending its right to enrich uranium as part of its civilian nuclear program, while the United States wants it to stop.
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who is leading the talks for Washington, said the United States "could not authorize even one percent" of enrichment by Iran.
Iran insists it has the right to a civilian nuclear program, including for energy, and considers the US demand a red line that violates the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, to which it is a signatory.
The negotiations, which began in April, are the highest-level contact between the two sides since the United States quit a landmark 2015 nuclear accord during US President Donald Trump's first term.
Since returning to office, Trump has revived his "maximum pressure" campaign on the Islamic republic, backing diplomacy but warning of military action if it fails.
Following the latest round of Omani-mediated talks in Rome, Iran's foreign minister and lead negotiator Abbas Araghchi downplayed the progress, stressing, "The negotiations are too complicated to be resolved in two or three meetings."
‘Very, very good’ talks
But on Sunday Trump said the ongoing discussions had been "very, very good."
"I think we could have some good news on the Iran front," he said, adding that an announcement could come "over the next two days."
“I don’t know if I’ll be telling you anything good or bad over the next two days, but I have a feeling I might be telling you something good,” he said.
No date has yet been set for the next talks, according to Iran's Foreign Ministry.
Abbas Araghchi on Sunday described the negotiations as a “battle of wills,” saying that the talks will yield results once the rights of the Iranian people are secured.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting with the members of Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, the Iranian foreign minister said Tehran is neither in any rush to reach an agreement with the US nor causing delays in the talks.
However, he said that the officials will do their utmost to lift sanctions as soon as possible but not at the expense of Iranians’ rights.
President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that Iran would be able to survive if negotiations fail to secure a deal.
"It's not like we will die of hunger if they refuse to negotiate with us or impose sanctions," Pezeshkian said. "We will find a way to survive."
Pezeshkian said Iran is “more powerful than ever” thanks to its scientists and elites, adding that if the Islamic Republic is sanctioned instead of engaged in diplomacy, it has “hundreds” of effective alternatives ready.