Iranian Foreign Minister to visit Russia ahead of another round of talks with US

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said today that Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will visit Russia this week for talks ahead of the second round of Iran-US negotiations, as part of diplomatic efforts to resolve the nuclear dispute between Tehran and the West.

Iran and the United States held indirect talks in Oman last week, and they are scheduled to resume this week regarding Iran's nuclear program after US President Donald Trump threatened military action against Iran if it did not reach an agreement with the United States.

Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council with veto power, plays a role in the nuclear negotiations between the West and Iran as an ally of Tehran and a signatory to the 2015 nuclear agreement, from which the United States withdrew in 2018.

Two Iranian officials told Reuters they believe Trump's latest approach will follow a pattern of threats he has since retreated from, as he has addressed Greenland, Gaza, and tariffs.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Araghchi will visit Russia ahead of the upcoming Oman-mediated talks scheduled for Saturday in the Italian capital, Rome.

Italian news agency ANSA quoted Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani as saying today that Rome is scheduled to host a second round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran.

A source close to the Iranian government told Reuters that the United States wants Rome, while Iran prefers Geneva. Baghaei explained that the talks will remain indirect, given the United States' continued "bullying" and threatening approach.

In another diplomatic move on the issue, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi will visit Tehran on Wednesday.

T/S

ANHA