Tehran has stated that the United States is aiming to secure a new nuclear deal “as soon as possible,” following a fresh round of high-level diplomatic talks held on Saturday. However, Iranian officials cautioned that the path toward an agreement will be “complex and far from easy.”

The latest negotiations mark a renewed effort to revive the 2015 nuclear agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which the US withdrew from in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump. Since then, relations have been tense, with Iran gradually stepping away from its commitments and increasing its uranium enrichment.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry released a statement after the weekend’s discussions, noting, “The US is eager to reach an agreement quickly, but the path ahead is filled with obstacles that must be carefully addressed.”

The talks, involving senior diplomats from Iran, the US, and European Union mediators, come at a critical moment amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and increasing pressure from international watchdogs over Iran’s nuclear activities.

US President Joe Biden’s administration has made restoring the nuclear agreement a diplomatic priority but faces strong domestic opposition and demands for tougher terms from allies such as Israel and Gulf nations.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials are seeking the lifting of economic sanctions that have crippled the country’s economy and insist on guarantees that the US will not unilaterally exit the deal again.

One senior Iranian negotiator said, “We need firm assurances and a realistic approach from Washington. Trust was broken in 2018 and cannot be easily restored.”

Western officials have expressed cautious optimism, though progress remains slow. Analysts say the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether a breakthrough can be reached or whether talks will stall yet again.

The US-Iran nuclear deal talks are expected to continue in Vienna, with more diplomatic meetings scheduled next week. Both sides have expressed a willingness to stay engaged, but a final resolution is still far from certain.

As the world watches closely, the stakes remain high—not only for nonproliferation efforts but also for broader geopolitical stability in the region.