TEHRAN, Iran

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday evening that Tehran and Washington “moved closer to agreement” on certain issues, and that seriousness was evident on both sides.

Speaking to reporters after the end of the third round of indirect nuclear negotiations with the United States in Geneva, Araghchi said seriousness between the two sides “was more evident than before.”

He said the two sides agreed that technical teams will begin discussions and reviews in Vienna starting Monday.

A new round of negotiations will be held in less than a week, he added.

Araghchi, who led the Iranian delegation to the talks, said Thursday marked one of the “most serious and longest rounds” of negotiations, adding that the presence of UN nuclear agency chief Rafael Grossi “was helpful from a technical standpoint.”

The issue of the UN Security Council and US sanctions was among Iran’s demands, and it was agreed that the issue would be addressed in greater detail next week, he said.

The top diplomat added that in the area of sanctions relief, the Iranian side “clearly outlined” its specific demands.

The third round of indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States in Geneva on Thursday under Omani mediation was the longest of the three rounds of talks held so far. Thursday’s negotiations were divided into two sessions before and after a break, during which the two sides consulted with their respective capitals.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who was acting as the mediator, reported “significant progress” in the talks.

“We will resume soon after consultation in the respective capitals. Discussions on a technical level will take place next week in Vienna. I am grateful to all concerned for their efforts: the negotiators, the IAEA, and our hosts the Swiss government,” he wrote on the US social media company X.

Elyas Hazrati, head of the Iranian government’s information division, said in a post on X that reports published by The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times on the course of the negotiations “do not reflect the reality of the talks.”

He stressed that Iran’s policy on the nuclear issue “remains unchanged.” He added that the enrichment process will continue and that “no transfer of nuclear material outside the country is on the agenda.”

Hazrati added that Tehran’s primary focus in the negotiations remains the lifting of sanctions and that the country continues to insist on their removal.

Thursday’s talks were held in two sessions, separated by a four-hour break. After exchanging notes for more than three hours through Busaidi and Grossi, the two sides adjourned the session at around 13:30 local time (12:30 GMT).

The post-break second session of the third round of talks began at around 17:45 local time (16:45 GMT) after nearly four hours and ended at 19:30 local time (18:30 GMT).

Earlier reports suggested that the Omani mediators urged the two negotiating parties to continue the talks on Friday, but that ultimately did not materialize.

According to Iran’s state television, both sides sought to use the pause to consult with their respective capitals on details of the negotiations, effectively making it the longest round.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, speaking to reporters, said the talks on Thursday were held under an “intensive and serious” atmosphere.

Baghaei said serious discussions were held on nuclear-related issues and sanctions relief, adding that “significant and practical proposals” were put forward in both areas, with both sides pursuing the discussions in earnest.

The talks were held amid a massive US military build-up in the Persian Gulf region as well as drills by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).