France warned on Monday that it would reimpose sanctions on Iran if European security interests were not guaranteed under the expiring nuclear deal, while the head of UN nuclear watchdog said time was running out to prevent military conflict over the issue.
Israel must stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, whether by a diplomatic deal or by attack operations, former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen said on Tuesday night at a joint Remembrance Day ceremony."We cannot ignore this existential threat.
This is a regime which openly calls for our destruction, funds terror across the region and acts nonstop to try to acquire nuclear capabilities," he said.
An Iranian member of parliament criticized the government's reliance on potential goodwill from the United States in ongoing nuclear negotiations, saying that the economy should depend on domestic capabilities rather than the "smiles of an enemy whose job is nothing but deception.”
Addressing an open session of parliament on Tuesday, Mohammad Pakmehr said the country’s economy should rely on domestic power and Iranian workers.
Pakmehr questioned whether this approach aligned with the vision of the Supreme Leader, cautioning against being deceived by what he described as illusions.
He pointed to the experience of the previous nuclear deal, the JCPOA, saying, "The enemy remains the enemy, and their nature is to be hostile. We witnessed the JCPOA, a deal where promises yielded only the barrenness of autumn instead of blossoms, an agreement that... wounded the pride of an entire nation."
Both the United States and Iran are in dire need of a new nuclear agreement, despite remaining obstacles, according to an op-ed published in Gulf News.
Columnist Osama Al Sharif argues that recent developments, including the third round of indirect negotiations in Oman involving technical experts, suggest a growing momentum towards a deal, with both sides expressing cautious optimism.
He attributes this shift to several factors, including President Donald Trump's desire for a foreign policy breakthrough and Iran's vulnerability following regional setbacks.
"Trump, who was hoping to end the war in Ukraine on day one as promised, is looking for a foreign policy breakthrough," Al Sharif wrote. "While President Vladimir Putin showed little interest in embracing a deal that would require him to give up territory, the Iranians, on the other hand, appeared compromised after a series of regional setbacks in Syria and Lebanon."
The columnist added that while Trump had previously withdrawn the US from the 2015 nuclear deal and criticized it as weak, he is now actively pursuing a new agreement potentially similar to the 2015 agreement. This shift, Al Sharif suggests, is driven by Trump's desire to secure a significant foreign policy achievement.
He cautioned that “What could bog down the talks, though, are other issues, such as Iran’s long-range missile program, its support of regional proxies, and its strategic ties to China and Russia.”
The third round of indirect talks between Iran and the US in Muscat has been met with largely positive reactions from European officials, media, and think tanks, generating a spark of hope that Europe is determined to back the diplomatic track, according to an analysis by Iran's official IRNA news agency.
IRNA reported that the Muscat discussions, mediated by Oman, were described as positive,constructive,and showing progress by both sides, a sentiment echoed across Europe.
The analysis pointed to the European Union spokesperson’s remarks that any development increasing the likelihood of a diplomatic solution is a step in the right direction, emphasizing the EU's commitment to a diplomatic resolution.
The analysis highlighted the support expressed by France, Germany, and the United Kingdom for the continuation of dialogue.
British Foreign Secretary David Lemi's visit to Muscat after the talks and French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine's reaffirmation of Paris's commitment to a diplomatic solution shows Europe's alignment with the ongoing efforts, IRNA said.
Iran's parliament convened a closed-door session on Tuesday to review the ongoing indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington, with lawmakers expressing firm red lines on domestic nuclear enrichment, lifting of sanctions and foreign oversight.
Iran's pursuit of nuclear talks with the United States in Muscat is a strategic move leveraging "deterrence through diplomacy," according to an editorial published in the Iranian daily Donya-e-Eqtesad on Tuesday.
Authored by Mohammad-Ali Rafiei, the commentary suggests that Tehran's past actions and demonstrated military readiness have built the credibility needed to engage effectively in negotiations.
“Deterrence does not always come from military might alone,” Rafiei wrote. “A broader view shows that diplomacy itself can act as a form of deterrence, convincing adversaries that the cost of hostile action outweighs its benefits.”
Rafiei cited a series of recent military and diplomatic maneuvers as part of this deterrence strategy. These include Iran’s direct strikes on Israel in the past year and a set of joint military drills with Russia and China.
“Even when immediate agreements are not possible, diplomacy backed by credible deterrence is a vital tool for managing crises,” Rafiei wrote. “Honest dialogue and a readiness to compromise can yield mutually acceptable solutions.”
Alireza Akhondi, a member of the Swedish parliament of Iranian heritage, says only the overthrow of the Islamic Republic establishment can prevent a nuclear disaster, criticizing the ongoing US-Iran negotiations.
"There is no diplomatic or military solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, only toppling the regime will prevent disaster,"Akhondisaid speaking to Israeli media during a public visit to Israel.
He expressed concern that a potential deal between the Trump administration and Iran would undermine efforts to weaken the Islamic Republic.
"They are at their weakest point during the 46 years since the Islamic Revolution," Akhondi said, adding that "any deal will set back two and a half years of my work to weaken the Islamic Republic."
"Any kind of deal is a threat," he said, arguing that even a comprehensive agreement dismantling Iran's nuclear infrastructure would be insufficient.
Akhondi, who was born in Iran and immigrated to Sweden as a child, criticized what he called the US envoy's inexperience and suggested that Iran and Russia were exploiting his lack of expertise.
“To be honest, I’m upset that they used an amateur like Witkoff as a negotiator. The Islamic Republic demanded that it not be Marco Rubio, but Witkoff. Russia demanded him, too. It’s the same strategy. Why? Because it’s easy to play with him. He has no experience in such sensitive geopolitical issues,” Akhondi said.
France warned on Monday that it would reimpose sanctions on Iran if European security interests were not guaranteed under the expiring nuclear deal, while the head of UN nuclear watchdog said time was running out to prevent military conflict over the issue.
"We will not hesitate for a second to reapply all the sanctions that were lifted ten years ago," French minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot told reporters, referring to the snapback mechanism that can reactivate sanctions lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal, set to expire in October.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein has cautioned that the failure of ongoing talks between the United States and Iran could lead to catastrophic consequences for the wider Middle East region.
In an interview with Asharq News on Tuesday, Hussein voiced strong Iraqi support for the negotiation process between Washington and Tehran, expressing optimism for outcomes that would bolster stability in the region.
Any potential agreement reached should not come at the expense of other countries in the Middle East, he said without elaborating.
Hussein also talked about the impact of US sanctions on Iran, which have made Iraq seek alternative sources for its crucial gas imports. Currently, Iranian gas supplies account for approximately 33% of Iraq's electricity generation.
He added that Baghdad is actively engaged in discussions with several countries, including Türkiye, Jordan and Persian Gulf states, to secure alternative energy supplies and reduce its reliance on Iranian gas.
Expectations for a significant breakthrough in the indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States are low, according to Alex Greenberg, an Iran expert at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security.
Speaking to Iran International, Greenberg said that "there isn't much hope for reaching a serious agreement between the Islamic Republic and the United States, not just for me, but for many other observers. Because no one really knows what is happening in the negotiation process."
Greenberg expressed skepticism about a fundamental shift in Iran's core policies. "In general, it is difficult to imagine the Iranian government abandoning its identity, which is supporting terrorist groups and developing its ballistic missile program. It is not believable that the Islamic Republic would easily abandon these fundamental components of its being," he said.
Greenberg also talked about the irreconcilable positions of Iran and Israel on the nuclear program. "Netanyahu wants the complete dismantling of Iran's nuclear program, but it is unlikely that the Islamic Republic will accept such a thing. Even if there is an agreement, Iran will probably retain some of its nuclear capabilities."
He concluded by raising doubts about Israel's acceptance of any deal that allows Iran to maintain a nuclear program, even in a limited capacity, citing concerns about verification measures.