U.S. Secretary of State: The Third Round of U.S.-Iran Talks Will Mainly Focus on Iran's Nuclear Program

On February 25 local time, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio stated that the third round of U.S.-Iran negotiations on the 26th will mainly focus on Iran's nuclear program, hoping that the talks with Iran could be "productive." Rubio said he would not describe the talks as any other kind of meeting, but merely another opportunity for dialogue.

Rubio stated that Iran has posed a "very serious threat" to the United States for a long time. He mentioned that Iran is attempting to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles and that Iran's insistence on not discussing ballistic missiles is a "very, very big issue."

On the 24th, U.S. President Trump threatened Iran during his State of the Union address in Congress, stating that the U.S. will never allow Iran to have nuclear weapons and claimed that Iran "is developing missiles that can soon reach the United States." Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif arrived in Geneva, Switzerland, on the 25th, preparing for the third round of indirect negotiations with U.S. representatives regarding Iran's nuclear program the following day. Earlier that day, Zarif refuted the U.S. claim that Iran is developing long-range missiles capable of reaching the United States.

Iran and the U.S. held two rounds of indirect negotiations in Muscat, Oman, and Geneva, Switzerland, on the 6th and 17th of this month, respectively. Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to amass military forces in the Middle East. Recently, President Trump acknowledged that he is considering a "limited military strike" against Iran to force Iran to comply. (Reporter Zhang Yingzhe from the Central Broadcasting Station)