Talks between the US and Iran: a thaw?

After two rounds of negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme, Washington and Tehran have said they want to continue the talks. The negotiations were progressing well, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced after his meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff at the Omani embassy in Rome on Saturday. The Arab state is acting as a mediator. Commentators take stock.

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Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (DE) /

Total capitulation not achievable

The nuclear talks seem likely to end in a compromise, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung opines:

“The fact that little is known about what exactly is on the negotiating table suggests that the talks are being conducted in a professional and goal-oriented way. One almost wants to pinch oneself and ask: Is this really the Trump administration at work? ... Apparently, the new administration can't come up with any better options than those which Trump swept off the table during his first term: a compromise that would improve Iran's economic situation and secure assurances for the West that Iran will not build - or be able to build - a nuclear bomb for the time being. Because the total capitulation that Trump always demanded will not be achievable - even with Iran's leadership weakened by Israel's strikes.”

News.bg (BG) /

Washington needs a diplomatic coup

Trump needs positive signals from Iran, news.bg comments:

“In view of the renewed war in the Gaza Strip and the ongoing war in Ukraine, the US president needs to set a positive example for his diplomacy. After all, he has stated that the success of his foreign policy will also be measured by his ability to prevent new hostilities and stop the US from becoming embroiled in new conflicts. Iran is the ultimate test for Trump's promise of peace, because while the war in Gaza depends on Israel and the war in Ukraine on Russia, whether there will be a new war in the Middle East depends primarily on him.”

Der Standard (AT) /

A good start given the risks

Iran must be prevented from continuing the production of weapons-grade uranium, Der Standard insists:

“So far the most remarkable thing about the new nuclear talks between the US and Iran is that they're taking place at all. ... Iran's economy has been ruined by sanctions and its people are living on the edge of the precipice. Iran's strategic network in the region, the so-called 'Axis of Resistance', has been destroyed, and its military systems were severely weakened by the Israeli attack in October. And now the US president is threatening war if there's no new nuclear deal. This US threat was apparently absent on Saturday: Steve Witkoff played the role of 'good cop'. ... The top priority now is indeed to stop Iran's buildup of almost weapons-grade uranium.”

Corriere della Sera (IT) /

Decisive dialogue for the Middle East

Corriere della Sera voices hope:

“One can't be optimistic at such a complex moment, but the United States and Iran have at least spoken to each other, albeit not directly but through the mediation of the Foreign Minister of Oman, Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi. ... It almost goes without saying that this dialogue, which has only just begun, could be a decisive element for a different future, at least (but not only) in the powder keg that is the Middle East. An essential prerequisite is to convince Ayatollah Khamenei to take some important steps backwards and at the same time admit the weakness of his dangerous regime, which has recently suffered many defeats.”

taz, die tageszeitung (DE) /

No alternative for Tehran

Iran has its back to the wall, taz stresses:

“Trump is relying on economic carrots and military sticks. He wants Iran to become a 'happy country'. ... But he has made it clear that Iran will be 'in great danger' if the negotiations fail. The US has already stationed more B-2 bombers in the Indian Ocean; a second aircraft carrier group has been deployed in the Middle East. ... A second round of talks between Iran and the US is to follow this week. And the fact that Iran is sitting at the negotiating table shows its weakness. Khamenei knows that the future of his regime depends on the outcome of these talks.”

Echo (RU) /

Trump's last chance to present a success

Iran is in a favourable starting position, Israeli journalist Sergei Auslender writes in a Telegram post republished by Echo:

“The Iranians are not fools, and immediately understood Trump's main problem: he needs to have at least something to show for his 100 days as president. A ceasefire in Ukraine? Nope. The return of the hostages from Gaza and the end of the war there? Nope. The trade war? There's no telling where that's going, so nothing there either. That leaves Iran. That's why, if the Wall Street Journal is to be believed, the Iranians rolled out a whole bunch of conditions on the negotiating table in Oman, with the word 'immediately' being the first to catch the eye. ... We can only hope that the Iranians overplay their hand, Trump flies into a rage, and then it's clear what will happen.”

Espreso (UA) /

Risk of failure remains high

Middle East expert Ihor Semyvolos is under no illusions in a Facebook post taken over by Espreso:

“The two sides will likely reach a limited agreement: Iran will agree to temporary nuclear restrictions, and the US to a partial easing of sanctions. ... The agreement will nevertheless remain fragile due to mistrust between the two parties and pressure from Israel and Saudi Arabia, which will consider it insufficient. ... The risk of failure will remain high, especially if Israel or Iran resort to provocations. An all-out war is unlikely, but isolated or asymmetric attacks could make further dialogue more difficult.”