TEHRAN: Amidst a reported American military build-up in West Asia, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has said that he is likely to meet with a US delegation in Geneva on Thursday for the next round of talks over the country’s nuclear program.
The two sides have already held two rounds of negotiations so far this month aimed at reaching a deal.
Araghchi’s remarks to US broadcaster CBS from Tehran on Sunday were cited by IRNA, the state media of Iran.
The minister said he was still working on a draft proposal to be presented to the American side, adding that a deal could be reached quickly between Tehran and Washington DC.
“We are still working on that, and we are trying to make it something which consists of elements which can accommodate both sides’ concerns and interests. And, we are working on those elements, and I believe that when we meet probably this Thursday in Geneva again, we can work on those elements and prepare a good text and come to a final deal. This is my understanding, I see it quite possible,” said Araghchi on the CBS interview cited by IRNA news agency.
Meanwhile, anti-government protests continued for a second consecutive day across several university campuses in Iran’s two largest cities, Tehran and Mashhad, New York Times reported, citing student groups and human rights organisations, even as authorities maintain a crackdown on dissent.
The unrest comes amid growing concerns in Iran over the possibility of military conflict with the United States. There is a US military build-up in West Asia region where the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and more fighter jets have already arrived with reports that USS Gerald R Ford is also headed towards the region from the Caribbean.
