Iran to meet with European nations for nuclear talks; FM Araghchi says Trump has ‘deceptive’ view of Tehran

Iran will hold talks in Istanbul on Friday with European parties to the now-moribund 2015 nuclear deal, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says, after an earlier meeting planned for May 2 was postponed.

Iran’s foreign minister reiterates the fourth round of Iran-US talks held on May 11 was “difficult” as they focused on the controversial issue of enrichment, adding he hopes the other side will come with “more realistic positions” after gaining a better understanding of Iran’s fundamental positions.

A fifth round of talks is to be announced by Oman’s foreign ministry, which has acted as mediator since the start of the talks on April 12.

Araghchi reacts to US President Donald Trump’s comment made yesterday in Riyadh, where Trump called Iran “the most destructive force” in the Middle East and drew a stark contrast with what he called Saudi Arabia’s “constructive vision.”

“Unfortunately, this is a deceptive view. It is the US that has prevented Iran’s progress through sanctions,” Araghchi says.