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3. Iran FM Says Second Round of Talks with U.S. 'Constructive'

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday the latest talks with the United States saw them agree on "a set of guiding principles" that would pave the way for a deal.

"Ultimately, we were able to reach broad agreement on a set of guiding principles, based on which we will move forward and begin working on the text of a potential agreement," Araghchi told state TV after the talks in Geneva, which he described as "more constructive" than the previous round earlier this month.

"No specific time has been set" for the third round, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said. "It was agreed that both sides would work further on draft texts for a potential agreement, after which the drafts would be exchanged and a date for a third round would be set."

Iran refuses to negotiate defensive capabilities

As the second round of indirect nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran concluded in Geneva amid escalating military tensions, Iran refused to negotiate over its ballistic missile program, the principle of uranium enrichment, or allow direct American participation in inspections of its nuclear facilities, Al-Hadath reported.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei revealed that economic, legal, and technical experts also joined the negotiating table.

Speaking from Geneva on Tuesday, Baghaei said that entering the “technical phase” of negotiations means discussions have begun on implementation details and specialized aspects in two key areas: “sanctions relief and nuclear commitments.”

He added that “the presence of economic, legal, and technical experts within the Iranian delegation, alongside the role played by the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, has provided the necessary groundwork for these precise discussions.”

He emphasized that “since this morning, these issues have been conveyed to the American side through the mediator, and the indirect negotiations have focused on details in which the Agency, as the relevant authority, plays a central role in verification and advancement.”

Baqaei also said Tehran is prepared to remain in Geneva “for days or even weeks” to reach a final deal, stressing that full sanctions relief remains its top priority. “Iran is negotiating seriously and in good faith,” Baqaei added, voicing hope that Washington would show similar commitment.

Earlier Tuesday, Iran reiterated its rejection of negotiating defense-related matters, including its ballistic missile program. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Majid Takht Ravanchi, said that the Iranian delegation would negotiate only on the nuclear file, not on defense issues.

“If the other side mistakenly believes it can extract concessions from Iran through pressure, we must prove to it in practice that it is living under an illusion,” he said.