By Obinna Uballa
Iran has urged the United States to drop what it described as “excessive demands” if ongoing negotiations are to achieve a breakthrough, following a fresh round of talks in Geneva.
The New Diplomat had reported that discussions have taken place in a tense atmosphere, with US President Donald Trump warning Tehran to reach an agreement or face consequences.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking in a phone call with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, stressed that progress would require “seriousness and realism” from Washington.
“Success in this path requires seriousness and realism from the other side and avoidance of any miscalculation and excessive demands,” Araghchi said, without specifying which US conditions he considered unacceptable.
The remarks come amid renewed tensions over Iran’s ballistic missile programme and uranium enrichment activities. Trump warned on Wednesday that Tehran had already developed missiles capable of threatening Europe and US bases overseas and was working on longer-range systems that could eventually reach the United States.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also criticised Iran for refusing to negotiate on its missile programme, calling it a major obstacle, and said Tehran is positioning itself to resume large-scale uranium enrichment.
Iran, however, insists its missile programme is purely defensive and has rejected abandoning uranium enrichment, maintaining that its nuclear activities are strictly for peaceful purposes.
The latest diplomatic push follows a third round of Omani-mediated nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington held Thursday in Geneva. The negotiations aim to ease tensions and prevent military escalation as the US strengthens its military presence in the region.
Both Iran and Oman reported progress after the Geneva discussions. Technical-level meetings are scheduled for Monday in Vienna, ahead of a fourth round expected next week.
