Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, is set to embark on a visit to Russia this week, as discussions surrounding nuclear negotiations with the United States intensify. This visit comes ahead of a new round of anticipated talks between Iran and the U.S. scheduled to take place in Rome.
In a significant development, Araghchi held talks with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in Oman on Saturday, marking the highest-level negotiations since the collapse of the 2015 nuclear accord, which was abandoned in 2018 by former President Donald Trump. The U.S. withdrawal from the agreement has reignited global attention on Iran, particularly since Trump’s return to the White House earlier this year. Recently, Trump reached out to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, proposing nuclear discussions while simultaneously warning of potential military action should Iran refuse.
The longstanding suspicion among Western nations, including the U.S., is that Iran aims to develop nuclear weapons—a claim the Iranian government has categorically denied, asserting that its nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful applications. In recent weeks, Russia, a key ally and party to the 2015 deal, alongside China, has engaged in discussions with Tehran regarding its nuclear pursuits.
Esmaeil Baqaei, the spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, confirmed that Araghchi’s trip to Moscow is pre-planned and will provide an opportunity to discuss developments stemming from the Oman talks. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova corroborated the visit, noting that Araghchi is expected to meet with his counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, along with other officials in Moscow.
Both Iran and the U.S. characterized the discussions held on Saturday as “constructive,” with Moscow expressing its support for a diplomatic solution and cautioning that any military conflict would lead to a “global catastrophe.”
Subsequent negotiations between Iran and the United States are scheduled for April 19, although the exact location remains unconfirmed. However, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani indicated that Rome has responded positively to hosting the talks, expressing a commitment to facilitating the discussions. According to reports from IRNA, these upcoming talks will focus on the nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions, eschewing any discussion of other matters.
President Trump reinstated stringent sanctions against Iran after pulling out of the nuclear deal, leading to a gradual deterioration of Iran’s compliance with the agreement. As negotiations proceed, Iran has reiterated that its missile capabilities and regional influence remain “red lines” in the talks.
In a related development, Baqaei announced that the chief of the United Nations nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, is expected to visit Tehran shortly, although specific details regarding his trip are yet to be finalized. Grossi recently indicated via social media that he would be traveling to Iran, underscoring the importance of sustained engagement and cooperation at a time when diplomatic solutions are desperately needed.
IRNA further reported that Grossi is set to arrive in Tehran on Wednesday, where he will meet with Araghchi and Mohammad Eslami, the head of Iran’s nuclear energy agency. Grossi’s previous visit to Iran occurred in November, where he conferred with high-ranking officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in its latest quarterly report, revealed that Iran possesses an estimated 274.8 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, significantly exceeding the 3.67 percent limit established by the 2015 agreement and drawing closer to the 90 percent enrichment level necessary for weapons-grade material.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the focus remains firmly on the nuclear negotiations, with Tehran adamant about not discussing any ancillary issues with U.S. representatives.
