Iran's foreign minister signaled that the next talks with the United States would be held soon, while repeating the existing position that it cannot abandon uranium enrichment.
On the 7th, Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in an interview with Al Jazeera about the nuclear talks with the United States held the day before that it was "a good start," but added, "There is a long way to go to build trust."
Minister Araqchi said the talks took the form of indirect negotiations in which Oman Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi shuttled between the two sides to convey messages, but added there was an opportunity to shake hands with the U.S. delegation.
He went on to say that although a date has not been set, the two sides agreed to hold the next talks "soon," adding that there is a possibility the venue for the second round could change.
However, on uranium enrichment, he said it is "our inalienable right and must continue," emphasizing that "even bombing cannot destroy our enrichment capabilities." Minister Araqchi's side argues that the right to uranium enrichment must be guaranteed by an agreement.
He added that the nuclear issue can be resolved only through negotiations, criticized U.S. military pressure, and warned that if the United States attacks Iranian territory, Iran will strike U.S. military bases stationed in the Middle East.
On Iran's missile development, Minister Araqchi drew a line, calling it a "defense matter" and saying it "cannot be a subject of negotiation." Iran opposes expanding the agenda with the United States beyond the nuclear issue.
It has been about eight months since the United States and Iran resumed dialogue, following the U.S. airstrike on Iran's nuclear facilities in June last year. U.S. President Donald Trump said it was "a very good talk," but warned that "if Iran does not agree, the consequences will be very harsh."