Iran US tensions LIVE updates: The second round of talks between the US and Iran, mediated by Oman, concluded on Tuesday. Calling the talks ‘constructive,’ Iran's foreign minister said that ‘guiding principles’ of the nuclear deal were reached.
Iran-US tensions LIVE updates: The second round of talks between the US and Iran concluded in Geneva on Tuesday, amid US President Donald Trump's increasing military pressure on Tehran and the latter conducting a military drill in the Strait of Hormuz. The talks went on for nearly 3 hours, after which delegates left the Omani ambassador's residence.
Iran on Tuesday said that the lifting of US sanctions was an integral part of any nuclear deal. "Sanctions lifting is part and parcel of any deal on the nuclear issue," said foreign ministry spokesman Emsaeil Baqaei.
Ahead of the talks, an Iranian official told Reuters that the success of nuclear talks depends on the US's seriousness in lifting sanctions on Iran and avoiding “unrealistic demands.”
What Iran said about nuclear talks with US
Following the conclusion of second round of talks in Geneva, Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on Tuesday said that Tehran has agreed with US 'on guiding principles' for the deal, Reuters reported.
Iran FM also said that the second round of talks with the US was ‘constructive’, adding that no date set for the third round of US talks.
"Ultimately, we were able to reach broad agreement on a set of guiding principles, based on which we will move forward and begin working on the text of a potential agreement," Araghchi told state TV.
Iran begins drills in Strait of Hormuz
As the talks began, Iran reportedly fired live missiles towards the Strait of Hormuz as part of fire drills. Earlier, Iran had announced a maritime military exercise in waterways that are crucial international trade routes through which 20% of the world’s oil passes, Reuters reported
Parts of the Strait of Hormuz will also be closed for a few hours on Tuesday due to 'security precautions' for shipping safety as the Revolutionary Guards conduct military drills in the waterway.
Iran's supreme leader issues big warning to Trump
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Tuesday that US President Donald Trump would not succeed in destroying the Islamic Republic, as talks between the two countries began in Geneva.
"In one of his recent speeches, the US president said that for 47 years America has not succeeded in destroying the Islamic Republic... I tell you: you will not succeed either," said Khamenei in a speech.
Trump warns of US military action
Meanwhile, Trump warned Iran of potential consequences should it fail to strike a deal with the United States, as negotiators prepare for the latest round of talks in Geneva on Tuesday.
On board Air Force One, the US President has stated that he will be taking part in the Iran-US talks "indirectly."
"I'll be involved in those talks, indirectly. And they'll be very important," Trump told reporters.