Iran’s FM in Cairo for US nuclear talks and Gaza crisis
On June 1st, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi touched down in Cairo ahead of scheduled talks with top Egyptian officials. Discussions are expected to cover Iran-Egypt relations, the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza, and Tehran’s nuclear agenda. The visit was initiated at the request of Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, according to The National on June 2nd.
As part of his official itinerary, Mr Araghchi is set to hold a meeting with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, followed by a significant discussion with Foreign Minister Abdelatty and Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Egyptian Foreign Ministry confirmed.
Iran’s nuclear programme is expected to be a key topic of discussion, following a phone conversation between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East under President Donald Trump.
According to a statement from the ministry, the two officials exchanged views on the Iranian nuclear file and explored potential terms for a new agreement in advance of Mr Abdelatty’s meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Iran has recently been presented with a new proposal from the United States concerning its nuclear programme. This development follows a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which revealed that Iran has accumulated over 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 per cent purity—still short of the 90 per cent level needed for weapons-grade material.
According to U.S. officials, Iran could enrich uranium to weapons-grade within two weeks if it decided to pursue a nuclear weapon, and potentially assemble a bomb within a matter of months.
Since April, the US and Iran have been involved in indirect negotiations, with Oman acting as a mediator.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi is expected to travel to Lebanon following his meetings in Cairo. The trip comes amid renewed pressure from international powers and Lebanon’s new administration, led by President Joseph Aoun, for Hezbollah to disarm.
Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza is expected to feature prominently in the Cairo talks. Months of Israeli air strikes have killed more than 54,000 Palestinians — the majority of them women and children — according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The humanitarian crisis has worsened since Israel imposed a full blockade on aid in March, sparking widespread food and water shortages and rising malnutrition. Although aid deliveries have resumed, the territory continues to face relentless bombardment and a near-total collapse of its healthcare system.
The National/ Maghrebi.org
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