US-Iran: What's next after tense Geneva talks?

"Afterwards, Araghchi said the meeting was "more constructive" than the previous round held earlier this month. "Good progress was made compared to the previous meeting, and we now have a clearer path ahead." Araghchi told Iranian state-run television. Araghchi added "a set of guiding principles" had been reached, but did not share further details. "This does not mean that we can reach an agreement quickly, but at least the path has begun," Araghchi said."

""Optimism in negotiations is usually part of political rhetoric and also accompanied earlier rounds of talks," political scientist Mohammad Ghaedi at George Washington University told DW. "The core conflict between the two sides remains," he said, adding that Iran's uranium enrichment is a "red line" for Washington. "Tehran, on the other hand, does not want to give up enrichment. As long as the centrifuges are running, Iran retains the option of nuclear deterrence. If the centrifuges stop running, the country loses this deterrence," Ghaedi added."

A second round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States in Geneva ended without concrete results after talks at the Omani embassy. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Araghchi described the meeting as more constructive than the earlier round and said good progress had been made and a clearer path had emerged. Araghchi said a set of guiding principles had been reached but did not provide details. The talks, mediated by Oman, began on February 6 and future rounds remain uncertain. Political scientist Mohammad Ghaedi said the core conflict persists, with uranium enrichment a US "red line," and centrifuge operations preserving Iran's option of nuclear deterrence.

Read at www.dw.com