The United States and Iran have appeared to take the first steps towards a new agreement to limit Iran’s nuclear activities and lift U.S. economic sanctions. The talks, held in Oman, were described as “very positive and constructive” by the White House.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the two sides will meet again next Saturday. Policy analyst Karim Sadjadpour, a Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, stated that while the agreement is a positive step, it may not be enough to address all of Iran’s concerns.
Sadjadpour noted that President Trump wants a stronger agreement than the one President Obama signed in 2015. However, he warned that reversing Iran’s nuclear program significantly would be difficult due to its advanced status. The Iranian Foreign Minister also highlighted the economic sanctions imposed on Iran and the region’s vulnerability to Israel’s military actions.
The talks are seen as an attempt by the Trump administration to improve relations with Iran, while also addressing concerns from other countries, including Israel. Sadjadpour emphasized that the agreement is not a negotiation for normalization, but rather about limiting Iran’s nuclear program.
As the talks progress, it remains to be seen whether the US and Iran can reach a comprehensive deal. With differing expectations and priorities, both sides must work towards a mutually acceptable solution to avoid any further complications.
Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/what-to-know-about-the-start-of-negotiations-between-iran-and-the-u-s-under-trump