On the second day of the Tehran Dialogue Forum, a high-level panel titled “Iran’s Nuclear Talks: Crafting a Sustainable Future” convened senior diplomats and analysts to explore the prospects for reviving the Iran nuclear deal and the role of diplomacy in easing geopolitical tensions.

Participants included former US diplomat Robin Raphel, former Iranian UN ambassador Gholamali Khoshroo, Russian analyst Anton Khlopkov, and Austrian mediator Paul Dziatkowiec.
 

Khlopkov: Washington and Tehran Must Lead the Way
Anton Khlopkov, director of Russia’s Center for Energy and Security Studies (CENESS), welcomed signs of renewed US-Iran dialogue but emphasized that meaningful progress hinges on direct cooperation between the two capitals. “Step-by-step reciprocity is key to any lasting solution,” he said. Khlopkov also urged broader regional inclusion and proposed that Iran’s enriched uranium could be used abroad for peaceful purposes, with support from Russia and China.
 

Khoshroo: Iran’s Right to Enrichment Is Non-Negotiable
Gholamali Khoshroo, Iran’s former representative to the United Nations, criticized the US for sending contradictory signals and reaffirmed that uranium enrichment is a red line for Tehran. “Even under a consortium model, stopping enrichment is off the table,” he stated. Khoshroo described the US withdrawal from the JCPOA as a violation of both the deal and a UN Security Council resolution, arguing that trust must be rebuilt on the basis of mutual respect and legal commitments.
 

Raphel: Trump Seeks a Win, Not a War
Robin Raphel, former US Ambassador to Tunisia, suggested that Donald Trump may be more pragmatic than often portrayed. “He’s not interested in punishing Iran—he’s looking for a legacy,” she said, referencing his aspirations for a Nobel Peace Prize. Raphel noted that any future deal must balance Iran’s peaceful nuclear rights with US security concerns and be framed as a win-win.
 

Dziatkowiec: Keep Channels Open, Formal or Not
Paul Dziatkowiec, director of Mediation and Peace Support, emphasized the importance of sustained dialogue, formal or informal. “Even quiet diplomacy can build understanding,” he said, expressing cautious optimism that Trump might reconsider a deal if re-elected. He reiterated that the core of any agreement would likely involve sanctions relief in exchange for nuclear constraints, but warned that domestic political buy-in is crucial on both sides.