Foreign Minister Araghchi Values Iran-US Talks Affect Regional Peace And Stability

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that ongoing talks between Iran and the United States could play a key role in promoting peace and stability across the region.

"We believe Iran-US negotiations can play an effective role in promoting peace, stability and security in the region. Regional countries also support this process," he said on the sidelines of the final day of the Tehran Dialogue Forum (TDF) on Monday.

He further said he had discussed ongoing nuclear talks with his colleagues from Oman and Qatar during the event.

Foreign Minister Araghchi said Arab countries in the Persian Gulf appear to have changed their stance on Iran, as seen in their "positive views" on negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

"It is important for the region to support negotiations and even try to resolve existing misunderstandings and get closer to the point of view," said Foreign Minister Araghchi.

He added that peace and stability in the region are the most important issues for all countries in the region.

Earlier, Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takhtravanchi said nuclear talks between Iran and the United States would not have paid off if Washington insisted Tehran halted its uranium enrichment activity to zero, cited from Reuters.

That follows US special envoy Steve Witkoff reaffirming Washington's stance on Sunday that any new deal between the US and Iran must include an agreement not to enrich uranium, which is a possible pathway to developing a nuclear bomb.

On Sunday evening, Foreign Minister Aragchi said Iran would continue its uranium enrichment activity under the country's civilian nuclear program with or without a deal with the United States.

In posts on social media X Foreign Minister Araghchi showed Iran's right as a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was "very clear" and "there is no scenario where Iran will allow deviations from it."

"Responding to enrichment technology is a scientific achievement that is obtained with difficulty and domestic work; the result of great sacrifices, both blood and property," said Foreign Minister Araghchi.

Tehran and Washington have held four rounds of negotiations mediated by Oman over Iran's nuclear program and halted US sanctions against the country.