Following the third round of negotiations between US and Iranian officials, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the talks were “much more serious” than before and expressed hope that a deal could be reached.
“This round of talks was much more serious than in the past, and we gradually moved into more detailed and technical discussions,” Aragchi told reporters on Saturday following the negotiations, which took place in Oman.
“Some differences are serious, some less so. I’m hopeful about reaching a deal, but yet cautious,” the Iranian diplomat added.
For the first time since the negotiations began earlier this month, the two sides sent working-level delegations to discuss the technical details of a potential nuclear deal. Separate from the technical talks, Aragchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff also engaged in negotiations.
A US official told The Associated Press that the talks were “productive and positive” and that the negotiations were held both directly and indirectly.
“This latest round of direct and indirect discussions lasted over four hours,” the US official said. “There is still much to do, but further progress was made on getting to a deal. We agreed to meet again soon, in Europe, and we thank our Omani partners for facilitating these talks.”
The two sides agreed to hold another round of negotiations, which is expected to happen on Saturday, May 3. President Trump has been threatening to bomb Iran if a deal isn’t reached on Iran’s nuclear program, even though US intelligence agencies concluded in their annual threat assessment that there’s no evidence Tehran is working to build a nuclear weapon.
Coinciding with the negotiations on Saturday, a major explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas, Iran, killed at least 40 people and injured over 800. So far, Iranian authorities have not said what caused the massive blast.
If the explosion wasn’t an accident and was caused by sabotage, Israel would be the most likely culprit since it has a history of carrying out covert attacks inside Iran and targeted the Shahid Rajaee Port in a 2020 cyberattack that disrupted shipping operations.
Israel also has a history of conducting covert operations inside Iran as a way to sabotage diplomacy between Washington and Tehran. In April 2021, Israeli intelligence detonated an explosive in Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility about a week after the Biden administration began indirect negotiations with Iran.
I'm glad they are talking. But given the fact that the US president is a clown macabre who has turned the White House into a theater of the absurd, I'm not having high hopes for a negotiated solution.
He's managed to negotiate nothing with the North Koreans during his first term. Talks with Russia are apparently also going nowhere. Why would Iran be any different?
For the first time since the negotiations began earlier this month, the two sides sent working-level delegations to discuss the technical details of a potential nuclear deal.
Then it's good news they're still talking and there haven't been any ultimatums as of yet. Everyone obviously knows about the US demand that Iran cannot be allowed to enrich Uranium any longer. How will Trump handle the hardliners if this deal doesn't include that? And Israel has already shown their displeasure unless that explosion was a remarkable coincidence. It's hard to be optimistic.
What makes me pessimistic is that Iran is a damned if they do, damned if they don't situation. Without the bomb they'll be attacked one way or another, sooner or later; an agreement with the US is guarantee of nothing as Gaddafi could testify if he were still alive. And they'll be attacked for sure if they do try to build the bomb.
Both sides need a big win; that's what gives me hope. On the other hand, there's you-know-who around and spoiling the deal, so we'll see.
What makes you think a "deal" is in Iran's best interests? If you pay attention to Iranian news (easy to translate these days with AI tools) you'll note that only pro-West Iranians are in favor of this deal because they want to sell out their country to Western investors. These fools are a vocal minority, as they also are in Russia where they have much more influence through the oligarchs, as well as in China to a certain extent.
The US needs this "deal" infinitely more than Iran, which is economically and strategically tied to Russia and China. The pro-West people want this "deal" to go through to undermine those relations and restore the pre-1979 status quo where Iran was a slave to the West. Not going to happen, ever.
The West is the Devil. There are no deals to be made with the Devil. There is only slavery and Zionism.
The Zionists are looking to not only dismantle Iran's nuclear program, they are using these "negotiations" to completely disarm Iran so that they can easily destroy it as they did Libya. The Iranians know this, the adults in the room over there are not going to allow any deal that will harm their national interests. They are allowing these "negotiations" only as a game, because it is better to remain in endless "negotiations" than knee deep in the blood of World War III.
The Zionists want WW3 no matter what. They are going to get it. I hope they get it, because unfortunately this is the only way we are going to see US and Zionist hegemony permanently silenced and defeated.
Yeah I’d rather skip ww3 if at all possible.
As for the rest, yes it’s not very hopeful but we shall see. Iranians want a deal because the current economy is pretty terrible.
More propaganda from Antiwar.
Associated Press Iran–Authorities offered no cause for the explosion hours later, though videos suggested whatever ignited at the port was highly combustible.
Industrial accidents happen in Iran, particularly at its aging oil facilities that struggle for access to parts under international sanctions. But Iranian state TV specifically ruled out any energy infrastructure as causing or being damaged in the blast.
—— You know that Iran would love to be able to blame Israel or the US if there were any evidence.
BBC Iran-–According to reports, witnesses say the explosion occurred after a small fire on the wharf spread to open containers storing "flammable materials" and most likely, chemicals. "The fire spread quickly and caused an explosion," one witness told local media.
“You know that Iran would love to be able to blame Israel or the US if there were any evidence.”
It’s a bit of a bind for them, actually.
On one hand, if they say there’s evidence it was an attack/sabotage, yes, they get to place blame.
On the other hand, if they say that there’s evidence it was an attack/sabotage, they look ineffectual at providing for their own security.
Maybe it was an accident, maybe it was sabotage. We will likely never know for sure.
Disagree. This wouldn't be the first such attack. It has a direct predecessor in the same area. I don't see it as anything other than a direct reflection on the authors of these unending attempts to destabilize the region.
Occam's razor. Why the Iranians would look weak to say the incident was yet another attack by the championship assholes of the ME, is beyond me.
Disagree. This wouldn't be the first such attack. It has a direct predecessor in the same area. I don't see it as anything other than a direct reflection on the authors of these unending attempts to destabilize the region.
Occam's razor. Why the Iranians would look weak to say the incident was yet another attack by the championship assholes of the ME, is beyond me.
You’re correct — it wouldn’t be the first such attack.
IF it was an attack.
Which we do not and probably cannot know.
… Not looking weak… rather they're rational because they don't want to false accuse anyone…! The Eastern rather than the Western way…!
Some more of Netanyahu's infantile stunts? What an asswipe he is.
From my viewpoint, the Israeli people are equally culpable for every single act in violation of international norms taken by their so-called leadership.
It is… just like the Beirut Port… The era of hit and gun… is gone…!
Some more of Netanyahu's infantile stunts? What an asswipe he is.
From my viewpoint, the Israeli people are equally culpable for every single act in violation of international norms taken by their so-called leadership.
The first Iran Deal was unanimous with the UN Security Council, the IAEA Board of Governors, and European Union, to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Arab Countries do not support Iran enriching uranium beyond what is necessary for peaceful purposes.
In the mid-1950s: Israel's first leader, David Ben-Gurion, initiated the nuclear project. –Dimona Facility: The Dimona nuclear complex was established, according to Foreign Policy.
1963: The Dimona reactor, the IRR-2, went critical, according to the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. That is over 7 decades ago. So Israel proven to be an excellent steward of this nuclear technology.
As usual you miss the concept of non-proliferation by the proverbial country mile.
Think before you post.
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty was opened for signature in 1968 and entered into force in 1970.
In the mid-1950s: Israel's first leader, David Ben-Gurion, initiated the nuclear project. –Dimona Facility: The Dimona nuclear complex was established, according to Foreign Policy.
1963: The Dimona reactor, the IRR-2, went critical, according to the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. That is over 7 decades ago. So Israel proven to be an excellent steward of this nuclear technology.
It appears a fire arson was initiated and after a few minutes the explosion took place with more fire that is still burning…! The zionist hands were involved as already been accused to classify the imported Dangerous Goods as normal…!
I don't trust any of it . The US does not negotiate, it demands and if an agreement is reached it can be broken just as fast.