Iran Claims US Stance on Nuclear Program More 'Realistic' Ahead of Second Round of Talks

Kathmandu. Iran stated on Monday that the US stance on Tehran's nuclear program has moved in a 'more realistic' direction ahead of the second round of talks.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Bakay said, "From the discussions held so far in Muscat, we feel that at least the US stance on Iran's nuclear issue has become more realistic."

He stated that Iran's "inalienable right under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) for the peaceful use and enrichment of nuclear energy has been recognized."

Talks between Tehran and Washington, which began this month after the collapse of previous negotiations during last year's Iran-Israel war, are entering their second phase on Tuesday.

Last June, Israel launched a surprise airstrike against Iran, which initiated a 12-day war in which Israel and the US attacked Iran's nuclear facilities.

Before the latest talks, Bakay stated that Iran will press for the removal of US sanctions, which have deepened Iran's economic crisis.

"Time is of the essence for us. Our people are under the pressure of oppressive sanctions, and the Iranian situation demands that these sanctions be lifted as soon as possible," he said.

The main focus of the talks involves Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium, which reached 60% purity before the war and which Washington has repeatedly called on Tehran to reduce to zero.

Israel stated on Sunday that Iran should have 'no enrichment capability' and that all enriched material should be transferred abroad.

There is much uncertainty regarding the fate of Iran's stockpile of over 400 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium. IAEA inspectors last saw this stockpile before the war.

Iran claims its processing material is in the debris of the nuclear sites struck during the conflict.

Tehran has insisted on its right to enrichment but has stated it is prepared to reduce its highly enriched uranium if all sanctions are lifted.