Iran is seeking to have US economic sanctions on the country lifted, in exchange for what Araghchi said at the forum could be \u201ca series of confidence-building measures concerning the nuclear program.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey fear our atomic bomb, while we are not looking for one. Our atomic bomb is the power to say \u2018no\u2019 to the great powers,\u201d Araghchi said.<\/p>\n
Western countries suspect Iran is seeking to acquire a nuclear bomb. Iran has denied seeking to acquire nuclear weapons. However, it has enriched uranium to levels that have no peaceful application, obstructed international inspectors from checking its nuclear facilities, and expanded its ballistic missile capabilities. Prior to the June war, Israel said Iran had recently taken steps toward weaponization.<\/p>\n
\t \u2018Peace through strength\u2019<\/p>\n Araghchi\u2019s comments came after US lead negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited the USS Abraham Lincoln on Saturday, signaling the persistent threat of US military action against Iran.<\/p>\n The US military\u2019s Central Command (CENTCOM) said the two top officials visited the nuclear-powered vessel.<\/p>\n In a social media post, Witkoff said the aircraft carrier and its strike group were \u201ckeeping us safe and upholding President Trump\u2019s message of peace through strength.\u201d<\/p>\n \t The threat of war continues to hover over the negotiations, even as Trump called the talks \u201cvery good\u201d and Iran\u2019s President Masoud Pezeshkian posted on social media that they \u201cconstitute a step forward.\u201d<\/p>\n Following Friday\u2019s first round in Oman, Trump signed an executive order calling for the \u201cimposition of tariffs\u201d on countries still doing business with Iran despite US sanctions.<\/p>\n The United States also announced new sanctions against numerous shipping entities and vessels, aimed at curbing Iran\u2019s oil exports.<\/p>\n It remained unclear on Sunday when and where, or if, there will be a second round of talks. Trump, after the talks Friday, offered few details but said: \u201cIran looks like they want to make a deal very badly \u2014 as they should.\u201d<\/p>\n \t Araghchi appeared to be taking the threat of an American military strike seriously. He said that after multiple rounds of talks last year, the US \u201cattacked us in the midst of negotiations\u201d when it joined Israel\u2019s war.<\/p>\n The top Iranian diplomat called into question the United States\u2019 commitment to negotiations.<\/p>\n \u201cThe continuation of certain sanctions and military actions raises doubts about the seriousness and readiness of the other side to conduct genuine negotiations,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are monitoring the situation closely, assessing all the signals, and will decide on the continuation of the negotiations,\u201d he said. \u201cIt is not clear up to where it will go.\u201d<\/p>\n Protests\u2019 toll<\/p>\n Talks between the two archenemies came amid a major US military buildup in the region in the wake of Iran\u2019s brutal crackdown on protests that began in late December, driven by economic grievances.<\/p>\n Authorities in Iran have acknowledged that 3,117 people were killed in the recent protests, publishing on Sunday a list of 2,986 names, most of whom they say were members of the security forces and innocent bystanders.<\/p>\n International organizations and media have put the toll far higher, possibly in the tens of thousands.<\/p>\n The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), which has kept a running toll since the onset of the protests, says it has verified 6,961 deaths, mainly of protesters, and has another 11,630 cases under investigation.\u00a0It has also counted more than 51,000 arrests.<\/p>\n Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tIranian President Masoud Pezeshkian listens to explanations as he visits the country\u2019s nuclear achievements during his tour to the Atomic Energy Organization in Tehran, Iran, in a photo released on November 2, 2025. (Atomic Energy Organization of Iran via AP)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26031231526818-640x400.jpg\")
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\n\t\tThe aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, left, the air-defense destroyer HMS Defender and the guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut transit the Strait of Hormuz with the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf, November 19, 2019. (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Zachary Pearson\/U.S. Navy via AP, File)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26037526022085-640x400.jpg\")
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\n\t\tIn this photo released by Oman\u2019s Foreign Ministry, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left, shakes hands with his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi during their meeting prior to indirect US-Iran negotiations, in Muscat, Oman, February 6, 2026. (Oman Foreign Ministry via AP)<\/p>\n
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