Washington, DC – Axios reports, citing informed sources, that a high-level US envoy, Steve Wittkopf, is expected to meet
with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araqchi next Friday in Istanbul.
The meeting is part of indirect talks aimed at exploring opportunities for reaching an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program.
According to the report, this potential meeting comes at a time of renewed diplomatic activity between Washington and Tehran,
amid efforts to contain escalating tensions in the region and reopen channels of dialogue regarding Iran’s nuclear program,
which remains one of the most sensitive issues on the international stage.
New understanding formula
Axios explained that the upcoming meeting could be a preliminary step to test the intentions of both sides
and explore the possibility of returning to a structured negotiating process,
whether by reviving a previous agreement or reaching a new understanding that takes
into account the political and security changes that have occurred in recent years.
The report indicated that choosing Istanbul as the meeting venue reflects Turkey’s growing role
as a potential mediator in complex regional and international issues,
as well as its status as a location acceptable to both sides for holding sensitive meetings away from the public eye.
international pressure
According to sources, the two sides are expected to discuss restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program, uranium enrichment levels,
and international monitoring mechanisms, in exchange for a possible easing of US
and international sanctions imposed on Tehran.
The talks may also address broader issues related to regional security and Iran’s behavior in the region.
These moves come amid increasing international pressure to prevent a slide toward military escalation,
especially given the ongoing disagreements between Iran and Western countries regarding Tehran’s nuclear commitments
and the exchange of accusations about violations of previous agreements.
There has been no official comment yet from either the US or Iranian governments confirming or denying the meeting.
However, diplomatic sources believe that its mere occurrence, if it does take place,
would be a significant indicator of both sides’ desire to keep the door open
for negotiations, despite the depth of the existing differences.
