Iran says US conduct at negotiating table is what matters

Iran is waiting for Oman to finalize arrangements for the fourth round of nuclear talks with the US, foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Monday.

“There was no cancellation of negotiations. We are ready to hold the session by mutual agreement,” he said, adding that discussions will remain focused solely on nuclear issues and sanctions relief.

Baghaei also said Iran is ready to meet again with the European trio.

Iran’s foreign ministry confirmed that a planned meeting with European powers was canceled due to the suspension of Iran-US nuclear talks in Rome.

“A political directors’ meeting between Iran and the E3 was supposed to take place in Rome before the fourth round of talks, but the Iranian delegation did not travel after the Rome negotiations were called off,” spokesman Esmail Baghaei said.

He added that Iran remains open to such talks and has maintained contact with European envoys in Tehran, but scheduling now depends on coordination with the other parties.

Iran’s foreign ministry dismissed recent remarks by US President Donald Trump questioning Tehran’s need for nuclear energy, calling them “scientifically baseless.”

“The claim that Iran doesn’t need nuclear energy due to fossil fuel reserves has no real or scientific foundation,” spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Monday.

Baghaei also said the framework for talks with the US remains unchanged, adding that “Tehran’s stance is rooted in international law and will not shift under media pressure.”

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said his goal in talks with Iran is the “total dismantlement” of the country’s nuclear program but added that he is open to hearing arguments for allowing Iran to pursue civilian nuclear energy.

The US appears to be retreating from its earlier acceptance of 3.67% uranium enrichment, raising doubts over the upcoming round of nuclear talks, said Ali Akbar Farazi, Iran’s former ambassador to Cyprus.

“Iran cannot abandon enrichment entirely, and under the NPT, it has the right to peaceful use,” he told ILNA Monday.

“Hardliners in Washington, under Israeli influence, aim to stall progress,” Farazi said. He urged negotiators to avoid delays over details once core issues are settled, and called for clearer messaging to Europe on Iran’s stance toward Russia and Ukraine to prevent further diplomatic friction.

Kayhan ultraconservative daily warned the government against devoting “most of its time and energy to negotiations with a regime it said has shown little goodwill,” urging instead a "proactive regional strategy."

The paper, overseen by a representative of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, called on officials to model their approach on the late President Ebrahim Raisi’s administration and suggested appointing former Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, now an advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, as a key consultant.

The editorial also pressed for cabinet reform and a clear domestic roadmap independent of nuclear talks.