Iran FM said there was “serious suspicion” about our intentions before the conversation

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov shook hands after a press conference in Moscow, Russia on Friday, April 18, 2025. Image source: AP

Iranian Foreign Secretary Abbas Araghchi was skeptical of the U.S.’s intentions the day before the second round of nuclear talks with Washington were held on Friday (April 18, 2025).

The new round will come a week after the highest level of negotiations held by long-term enemies since U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned the landmark nuclear deal in 2018.

“Although we have serious doubts about the intentions and motivations of the United States, we will be in the negotiations tomorrow anyway,” Sergei Lavrov, who traveled with Russia in Moscow, said at a press conference in Moscow.

Mr. Aragic will set off for Rome on Saturday for a brand new Amani-mediated talks with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.

“We are ready to make a peace resolution for Iran’s peace nuclear program,” Aragic said.

Mr. Lavrov said Moscow was ready to “play any useful role from an Iranian perspective, and the United States could accept it”.

Russia commands Arsenal, the world’s largest confirmed nuclear weapon, and has deepened military ties with Iran since its attack in February 2022.

Western countries, including the United States, have long accused Iran of seeking access to nuclear weapons – a charge Tehran has denied and insisted that its plans are for peaceful civilian purposes.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday that the country’s military capabilities were not restricted in discussions.

IRNA official news agency reported on Iran’s regional influence and its missile capabilities – long criticized by the Western government – as one of its “red lines” in negotiations.

Iran’s foreign minister said on Wednesday that Iran had no discussion on uranium enrichment after Mr. Vikov’s call ended.

“If there is a similar intention on the other hand, and they avoid making unreasonable and unrealistic demands, then I think it might be an agreement to reach an agreement,” Mr. Araghchi said in a press conference.

Mr. Lavrov stressed that any potential agreement should only be related to the nuclear issue.

Read Also | Trump Blocks Israel Plans to Strike Iran Nuclear Sites: Report

“This is a basic view that those who try to burden negotiations through non-nuclear issues have to consider, creating a very risky situation,” he said.

Israel reiterated its unwavering commitment on Friday to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and said it had “clear actions” to prevent this.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I and all relevant agencies are committed to leading clear actions to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons,” said Defense Minister Kats.