Iran’s foreign minister to visit China on Wednesday

Negotiations between Iran and the United States over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program will move to the expert level on Wednesday, a development analysts suggest indicates the talks are progressing swiftly, according to an Associated Press opinion.

However, experts not directly involved in the discussions cautioned the AP that this step does not necessarily mean a deal is on the horizon. Instead, it shows that the initial high-level discussions between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff have not collapsed over the core issue: Tehran limiting its atomic program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

Kelsey Davenport, the director for nonproliferation policy at the Arms Control Association, told the AP that "agreeing to technical talks suggests both sides are expressing pragmatic, realistic objectives for the negotiations and want to explore the details." She added that Iran would likely not engage at the technical level if Washington presented maximalist demands like the dismantling of its enrichment program.

Richard Nephew, an adjunct fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, who previously worked on Iran sanctions at the US State Department, told the AP that the value of expert talks hinges on an existing commitment to do something, with experts tasked with determining the specifics. Without such political agreement, he warned, the expert discussions could be unproductive.

The AP opinion also talked about the crucial role of technical experts in the 2015 nuclear deal, citing the understanding reached between then-US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and Ali Akbar Salehi of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran.

“Russia’s role as a permanent Security Council member is important, and the nuclear cooperation between Iran and Russia naturally gives it a key part to play,” government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said on Monday, according to Iranian media.

The remarks come as speculation grows over Russia’s potential role in Iran-US talks.

According to a Guardian report published Sunday, Russia could play a central role in any future nuclear deal, with Moscow being considered not only as a potential destination for Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, but also as a possible arbiter in the event of breaches to the agreement.

The report said that one option under discussion would allow Russia to "return the handed-over stockpile of highly enriched uranium to Tehran" if the US were to violate the deal, ensuring Iran is not penalized for American non-compliance.

Mohajerani said Iran is “hopeful the good management we’re seeing from that side [the US] will help move things in a positive direction,” but emphasized that Tehran will not accept prolonged negotiations.

“We do not welcome exhausting, lengthy negotiations. A good agreement that protects our national interests is possible in the short term," she added.

Reiterating the importance of sanctions relief, she said, “Lifting sanctions should have a real impact on people’s lives".

Only Sunday, she told the state news agency, “In the continuation of the negotiation path, we will welcome any practical initiative aimed at lifting sanctions".

Not only is Iran under sanctions for its nuclear program, but since the 2022 uprising, has been sanctioned for human rights abuses in addition to sanctions for its support of Russia's war on Ukraine.

Saudi visit 'beyond ordinary,' signals deeper ties

Highlighting the country's strengthening ties with its Arab neighbors, Mohajerani described the recent visit of Saudi Arabia’s defense minister to Tehran as a significant and strategic development.

“This visit went beyond a routine trip,” she said. “It carried a message from the Saudi King and included important talks. It reflects Saudi Arabia’s resolve to deepen cooperation with Iran.”

The two nations had cut diplomatic ties between 2016 and 2023 after an attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran, but today, Iran views Saudi Arabia as a critical regional partner, she said.

Strengthening ties with neighbors—especially Muslim countries—is a priority under the Pezeshkian administration's foreign policy.

It has also seen growing ties with the United Arab Emirates, which also cut diplomatic relations in the wake of the Saudi embassy incident, until reinstating them in 2022.

US President Donald Trump has no alternative but to strike a deal with Tehran, an Iranian lawmaker said Tuesday, adding that the president has failed to deliver results in his first 100 days in office.

“Trump has no choice but to make a deal,” said Abolfazl Zohrehvand. “His record in the 100 days he promised the American people results is empty — he has achieved nothing.”

Zohrehvand added that Trump is seeking to frame a potential agreement with Iran as a political achievement. “Trump wants to present an agreement with Iran as a success,” he said.

Iran said on Tuesday that Russia’s position as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and its involvement in nuclear cooperation with Tehran give it an important role in diplomatic efforts over Iran’s nuclear program.

“Russia’s role as a permanent Security Council member is important, and the nuclear cooperation between Iran and Russia naturally gives it a key part to play,” government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said.

She added that Iran is encouraged by what it views as a constructive attitude from Washington, saying, “We are hopeful the good management we’re seeing from that side will help move things in a positive direction.”

An Iranian lawmaker has denied a New York Times report that Tehran proposed a joint venture to run its nuclear enrichment facilities as part of ongoing negotiations with the United States, adding that American negotiators have blocked Israeli influence from entering the talks.

“The claim about a joint nuclear investment between Iran and the United States is not true and has not been among the topics discussed in the negotiations,” Tehran-based Rouydad 24 website quoted Yaghoub Rezazadeh, secretary of the Iranian parliament’s national security and foreign policy committee, as saying in a interview.

“In the reports we received from the foreign ministry, this issue was never raised,” Rezazadeh added.

Rezazadeh added the United States has so far prevented Israeli objectives from influencing ongoing nuclear negotiations with Tehran.

“What we know for certain is that, so far, the American negotiating team has not allowed the objectives, views, or ideologies of the Zionist regime to enter the negotiations,” Rezazadeh said.

He also said that US President Donald Trump to Iran’s Supreme Leader had contained threats, adding that Tehran's response prompted the United States to back down. “Iran’s firm and appropriate response led them to retreat from the tone of that letter during the negotiations,” he said.