Iran is prepared to engage in nuclear negotiations during the UN General Assembly in New York, provided “other parties are willing,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated in a video on his Telegram channel.
The U.S. withdrew in 2018 from the 2015 nuclear accord, which had allowed Iran to limit its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. Since then, indirect talks aimed at reviving the agreement have stalled. While Iran remains formally a part of the deal, it has reduced its compliance due to the reimposition of U.S. sanctions.
Araqchi mentioned that he would remain in New York longer than the Iranian president to hold additional meetings with foreign ministers, focusing on initiating a new round of discussions about the nuclear pact. He noted that messages have been exchanged through Switzerland, indicating a “general declaration of readiness,” but he acknowledged that “current international conditions make the resumption of talks more complicated and difficult than before.”
He ruled out a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, stating, “I do not believe it would be expedient to hold such a dialogue… We are still a long way from holding direct talks.”
Since the renewal of U.S. sanctions during the Trump administration, Iran has refrained from direct negotiations with Washington, opting instead to communicate through European or Arab intermediaries. Iranian leaders seek an easing of sanctions that have severely impacted the economy. However, relations with the West have soured further following the October 7 attacks by the Iranian-backed Palestinian group Hamas on southern Israel and Iran’s increased support for Russia in the Ukraine conflict.
The Biden administration has indicated that it is not ready to resume nuclear talks with Iran.
