Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei dismissed speculation about a temporary nuclear agreement, saying reports of an interim deal with the U.S. “have no basis” as Tehran prepares for a new round of negotiations in Geneva.

Why it matters:

The remarks come days before Iranian and U.S. negotiators are set to meet in Switzerland.

The big picture:

Iranian officials say discussions are currently focused on exchanging written positions.

Tehran has reiterated that lifting unjust sanctions remains a central demand.

The upcoming talks in Geneva mark the latest attempt to revive diplomacy after months of tension.

What he’s saying:

Esmail Baghaei:

“Speculation exists about how negotiations may proceed, but we do not confirm them. For example, discussions about an interim agreement have no basis.”

“Our positions, both regarding the unjust sanctions and nuclear issues, are clear. We are also aware of the other side’s viewpoints.”

“No negotiation based on imposing demands will lead to results. Every diplomatic process is a joint effort, and with goodwill, progress is possible.”

“We are serious about pursuing the diplomatic path because we are confident in the legitimacy of our positions. We will continue this process as long as there is a possibility of achieving results.”

Go deeper:

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that a new round of talks with the U.S. will take place on Thursday in Geneva, Switzerland.

The agenda of the previous talks in Muscat and Geneva focused primarily on the nuclear issue and the lifting of illegal US sanctions.

Mojtaba Darabi - Hossein Vaez