Iran pursues clear nuclear stance, reiterates its rights as per NPT, intl. law: Foreign Ministry spox

The spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry says Tehran maintains a clear position on its nuclear program and reaffirms the country’s rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and international law.

“We have focused on nuclear talks, and we have insisted on our rights in accordance with international law, in accordance with Article 4 of the NPT,” Esmaeil Baghaei told Press TV on Thursday.

“I think our positions are clear to everyone. So we have to see what we hear in the negotiating room, and then we will decide accordingly,” he said.

Iran and the United States are holding the third round of talks at Oman's embassy in the Swiss city of Geneva on Thursday about the Islamic Republic’s peaceful nuclear program. Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi is shuttling between the sides, with the talks being held indirectly as before. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi is also present at the talks.

In response to a question regarding contradictory statements by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other American officials on the US position in the talks, Baghaei described the situation as “confusing.”

The Iranian spokesperson added that such contradictory remarks have been part of the US negotiating behavior, which he described as “absolutely not helpful.”

He urged US officials to convey any instructions or messages for their delegations through their representatives rather than making public statements, warning that such remarks only serve to create confusion.

“One interpretation from these remarks is that perhaps there are differences withing their teams, and this is something that they need to resolve before embarking on these negotiations,” the Iranian diplomat explained.

He, however, emphasized that Iran has remained steadfast and consistent about the negotiations with the US.

Baghaei noted that the third round of talks with the US got underway on Wednesday night following a meeting between the Iranian foreign minister and his Omani counterpart.

He said Araghchi and Al Busaidi exchanged views about Iran's demands regarding both the termination of sanctions and the nuclear aspects of the negotiations.

The spokesman expressed hope that the “US delegation would come into the negotiating room with seriousness.”

He said the Iranian team consists of both nuclear technicians and experts on sanctions and economic aspects of the negotiations.

3rd round of nuclear talks opens in Geneva; Iran’s proposal seen as ‘test’ of US sincerity

Iran has reportedly put forward proposals to the US that address all of Washington

Earlier, IRNA reported that the Iranian delegation had put forward a proposal that would eliminate all of Washington's pretexts regarding Iran's peaceful nuclear program.

If rejected by the White House, the US move would reinforce suspicions in Tehran that Washington is not serious about diplomacy and that its diplomatic posture is merely a "game,” it added. 

The US maintains that Iran must cease its nuclear program, whereas Tehran asserts that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons and says it is entitled to peaceful nuclear energy.

Washington began its war rhetoric against Iran after recent economic protests in the country, which were hijacked by foreign spy agencies and turned violent. 

Since then, US President Donald Trump has kept threatening military action against Iran, deploying two carrier groups and dozens of fighter jets, bombers, and refueling aircraft to regional waters near Iran.

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