Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi delivers a speech during a session of the United Nations Conference on Disarmament, on the sideline of a second round of US-Iranian talks with Washington. AFP
Araghchi, speaking on state television after over four hours of Omani-mediated discussions, described the atmosphere as "more constructive" than the previous round earlier this month, with both sides exchanging practical proposals on uranium enrichment limits, IAEA oversight, and sanctions relief.
"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. "I can say that, compared with the previous round, fully serious discussions were raised and the atmosphere was more constructive," he added.
Tehran and Washington held on Tuesday a second round of negotiations -- which began earlier this month -- after talks last year collapsed following Israel's attack on Iran in June, which triggered a 12-day war. That war saw the United States briefly join Israel with strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites.
While Araghchi said the two sides have begun a path towards an agreement, he noted that "this does not mean we can reach a deal quickly".
"We hope this process can be completed as soon as possible, and we are ready to devote sufficient time to it," he added.
He acknowledged that it "will take time to narrow" the gap between the positions of both sides, particularly over US demands on Iran's ballistic missiles and regional allies, which Tehran has rejected.
"But at least we now have a set of guiding principles and a clearer path to move forward on," Araghchi said.
*This story was edited by Ahram Online.
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