Iran’s foreign minister says a nuclear deal is within reach ahead of crucial talks with the US, but warns diplomacy must be prioritised.

TEHRAN: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a nuclear deal was “within reach” ahead of scheduled talks with the United States.

“We have a historic opportunity to strike an unprecedented agreement that addresses mutual concerns and achieves mutual interests,” Araghchi said in a social media post.

He added that a deal was “within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority.”

Tehran and Washington are due to hold a third round of nuclear negotiations in Geneva.

The talks resume against a backdrop of recent heavy US military deployment in the region.

US President Donald Trump has threatened a strike if no deal is reached.

Iran has said it would respond firmly to any attack, stating any strike would be regarded as an act of aggression.

Araghchi said Iran will “under no circumstances ever develop a nuclear weapon.”

He insisted on Iran’s right to harness peaceful nuclear technology.

The minister added that Iran has proven it will stop at nothing to guard its sovereignty.

Iran and the US held five rounds of talks last year before they were halted.

Negotiations ended after Israel’s unprecedented attack on Iran triggered a 12-day war.

The US joined briefly with strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites at that time.

Iran responded with drone and missile attacks on Israel.

It also targeted the largest US military base in the Middle East, located in Qatar.

Iran consistently denies any ambition to build a nuclear weapon.

It defends enriching uranium for civilian energy and research as a sovereign right.

 The Sun Malaysia