Tehran’s Nuclear Ambitions Sidestepped in Inaugural Talks
The initial round of discussions between the United States and Iran, held on the 21st local time, did not address Iran’s nuclear program, according to reports Iran’s state broadcaster, IRIB. The meeting, which involved mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, lasted approximately 80 minutes in a four-party format.
Despite the nuclear issue being a primary agenda item, substantive negotiations on the matter did not materialize. IRIB broadcast indicated that this first meeting prioritized discussions on Lebanon. A specific focus was placed on debating the implementation of Article 13 of the Tehran-Islamabad agreement.
It remains uncertain whether a follow-up four-party meeting will be convened or if discussions will conclude at this stage. Following the quadrilateral talks, the Iranian delegation reportedly engaged in separate bilateral discussions with Qatar.
Iran Protests Trump’s Statements
Separately, Iran’s state press TV reported that the Iranian delegation has officially lodged a protest with the U.S. regarding recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump. President Trump had stated that Iran could face more severe attacks if it did not control Hezbollah. Iran is reportedly considering its response to these statements.
