Russia indicated on Friday that it was ready to act as a mediator in brokering potential nuclear agreement talks between Iran and the United States, provided that any agreements respect Iran's interests, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"We welcomed the clear willingness to reach mutually acceptable deals, including those currently being negotiated between Iran and the United States," Lavrov said at a joint news conference in Moscow with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi. "Russia is certainly ready to facilitate this process and will do everything in its power to facilitate agreements that honor Iran's legitimate interests," he said.
Araghchi announced during the news conference that Americans and Iranians will go back to indirect talks on Saturday in Rome. "We are waiting for the view point of the American side. If we perceive enough seriousness and will, we believe it is possible that an agreement would be reached," Araghchi declared.
Iran's Foreign Minister pressed Tehran's commitment to the talks despite having "serious doubts" about the intentions of the US. "We are fully prepared for a peaceful resolution to Iran's peaceful nuclear program, and if the other side is willing to do likewise and does not have excessive requests, I believe an agreement can be reached," Araghchi said.
Araghchi also acknowledged the central position of Russia in the 2015 nuclear deal and is hoping that Moscow will take a helpful role in any follow-up agreement. "We will keep our friends in Russia, and China, informed about developments," he explained, hoping that constructive criticism by these nations will drive the negotiations forward.
Araghchi and American Special Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff will hold their second round of indirect negotiations on Saturday, and it will largely focus on the nuclear activities of Iran and potential removal of American sanctions.
In the initial round of talks held in Muscat last week, Araghchi had "indirect" meetings with Witkoff with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi acting as facilitator. The talks revolved around Iran's nuclear activities and the possibility of lifting US sanctions.
The talks were initiated by US President Donald Trump, who had threatened to bomb and impose second-round tariffs on Iran if Tehran failed to come to an agreement with Washington regarding its nuclear program.
Iran had previously signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in July 2015 with six world powers — Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States — in which it committed to roll back its nuclear program subject to limits in exchange for sanctions relief. The US withdrew from the agreement in May 2018 and re-imposed sanctions, and Iran has subsequently reduced its commitments. Since then, attempts at reviving the nuclear accord have been on slow tracks.
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