Geneva: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on Tuesday that indirect nuclear negotiations with the United States have reached a more constructive phase. During the latest round of talks in Geneva, facilitated by Omani mediation, both parties engaged in ‘serious discussions’ and achieved a general agreement on a set of ‘guiding principles’ that will form the foundation for drafting a potential agreement.
According to Anadolu Agency, Araghchi stated that both sides will work on the drafts of a potential agreement and plan to exchange texts. The timing for the subsequent round of discussions will be determined after this exchange. The progress in negotiations marks a significant step towards addressing longstanding nuclear tensions between the two nations.
In another diplomatic development, the third round of trilateral peace talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States is set to continue in Geneva. The discussions, which began on Tuesday, are seen as crucial, given they take place just a week before the fourth anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The talks involve addressing key territorial issues, a central demand of Moscow, with the Russian delegation now led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh witnessed a political milestone as Tarique Rahman of the Bangladesh National Party took the oath as the country’s 11th prime minister. President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath, marking the inauguration of a new government following historic elections that ended the 15-year rule of the Awami League. The ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
On a humanitarian front, the UN Development Program revealed that the removal of rubble in Gaza could extend over seven years if current efforts persist. UNDP chief Alexander De Croo highlighted the dire living conditions in Gaza, emphasizing the need for accelerated debris removal and recovery efforts to improve the situation for the residents.
