The US and Iran held indirect talks in Oman in early February. Takht-Ravanchi said the two countries will hold a second round of talks in Geneva on Tuesday.
What you should know
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi has said that Iran is ready for a nuclear deal. In return, he said, Iran's access to international markets should be ensured.
Earlier, US officials had said that the talks could not move forward because of Iran. On Saturday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, ‘President Donald Trump wants to make a deal with Iran. But it is becoming very difficult to make it.’ But in an interview with the BBC in Tehran, Deputy Foreign Minister Majid said that Iran was on the path to a deal. ‘The ball is in America’s court. If they are honest, there will be a deal.’
Trump has threatened to attack Iran if there is no agreement to curb Iran’s nuclear program. The US is increasing its military presence in the region. On Friday alone, Trump ordered the USS Gerald Ford, the world’s largest armada, based in the Caribbean, to head to the Middle East. The Abraham Lincoln is already there.
The US and Iran held indirect talks in Oman in early February. Takht-Ravanchi said the two countries will hold a second round of talks in Geneva on Tuesday.
Talks between Trump and Iran on the issue of uranium enrichment have stalled. Iran is ready to reduce uranium enrichment to 3.67 percent in line with the 2015 agreement. This percentage will be sufficient for medical and energy purposes, but not enough to make weapons.
Iran's uranium enrichment is currently around 60 percent. Experts have been saying that Iran could make weapons once it reaches 80 percent. The US has been demanding a complete end to uranium enrichment, not a reduction.
Another point of disagreement is the ballistic missile program. US ally Israel has demanded that Iran abandon ballistic missiles. However, Iran has said that while it is ready for nuclear talks, there will be no discussion on ballistic missiles.
