Nournews: Ahead of the second round of talks between Iran and the United States, Takht-Ravanchi said a proposal has been made to hold the next meeting in Geneva on Tuesday, although it has not yet been officially finalized. He noted that Iran has always been flexible regarding the venue. Previous rounds were held in Muscat and Rome, and while location matters, Iran is not tied to a specific city. However, Oman must remain the mediator, and any meeting—whether in Geneva, Muscat, or Rome—should take place at an Omani diplomatic facility. Both sides have agreed on Oman as mediator, which Iran considers an honest and trusted partner.
Regarding the timing, he said an official announcement is expected soon and that Geneva appears to be the likely venue for the next round.
Takht-Ravanchi described the first round of talks in Oman earlier this year as generally positive, though too early to judge the final outcome. He said Iran entered the latest negotiations despite recent tensions and negative developments, including military actions and diplomatic pressure. While cautious, he assessed the talks as moving in a relatively positive direction, pending clearer evidence of the United States’ commitment to a peaceful resolution.
He said Iran has received mixed signals from Washington. Although U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump, have expressed interest in reaching a deal, Iran remains concerned about military pressure and threats. Takht-Ravanchi stressed that Iran cannot rely solely on words and wants concrete assurances to avoid any repeat of past disruptions during negotiations.
He concluded that all parties—especially those who initiate conflict against Iran—would ultimately bear the consequences.
After President Trump’s meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he said he wanted negotiations to continue. Takht-Ravanchi described this as one message among mixed signals, noting that talk of regime change contradicts diplomacy. He said Iran prefers diplomacy and wants it to succeed but must remain cautious. If attacked, Iran will defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity with all available means, in accordance with the UN Charter. Iran does not seek war, but any aggressor would bear responsibility for the consequences.
He said Iran is not interested in war and hopes conflict can be avoided. However, if war is imposed, Iran will retaliate, and the region would face serious instability. He stressed there is no military solution to the nuclear issue and that negotiations should focus solely on the nuclear file. Iran is prepared to engage seriously and peacefully, provided unrelated issues—such as its missile program—are not included. He called Iran’s defensive capabilities a red line and said they are non-negotiable.
According to Takht-Ravanchi, the United States appears to have accepted that talks should concentrate on the nuclear issue. Iran is open to compromise within that framework. He said Tehran is prepared to discuss its stockpile of 60 percent enriched uranium and potentially dilute it in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. Any agreement, he emphasized, must be reciprocal, with clear commitments from both sides. He added that “zero enrichment” is not on the table from Iran’s perspective.
He cautioned that it is too early to predict whether a deal can be reached and rejected artificial deadlines, saying serious negotiations should not be constrained by fixed timelines. Iran believes indirect negotiations can work if there is political will on both sides.
On regional tensions, he said war would be harmful to all parties, especially those who initiate it. Iran remains in close contact with neighboring countries, many of which oppose military escalation. He argued that the region favors peace and that a military option is neither reliable nor wise.
Regarding domestic unrest, he distinguished between peaceful protests, which he said are permitted, and violent actions, which he described as unacceptable.
In conclusion, Takht-Ravanchi said Iran hopes diplomacy will succeed but remains vigilant. He stated that the ball is in the United States’ court to demonstrate sincerity. If Washington proves it genuinely seeks an agreement, he expressed confidence that a deal could be achieved.
NOURNEWS