Pulwama, April 12, KNT: Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said that the talks between the United States and Iran should not be viewed as a failure, describing the negotiations as a complex and long-standing process that requires time to yield results.
Her remarks come amid reports of a lack of breakthrough in the latest round of discussions between Washington and Tehran.
Mufti said the dialogue between the two countries has been “stuck for many years” and cautioned against expecting immediate outcomes. She emphasized that negotiations of such scale and sensitivity cannot be resolved overnight.
“I don’t consider it a failure. It is a complicated matter which has been ongoing for years,” she said, adding that patience is essential in assessing the progress of such diplomatic efforts.
She also pointed to Iran’s negotiating stance, describing it as resilient, and said that Tehran did not concede entirely to U.S. demands during the talks. According to her, both sides entered the negotiations with firm positions, which contributed to the absence of immediate agreement.
Mufti further said that expecting quick results from the dialogue would be unrealistic. “If you think it should succeed within a night, then you are wrong,” she said, expressing optimism that the negotiations could eventually produce positive outcomes.
Referring to broader geopolitical dynamics, she suggested that external factors may influence the pace and direction of the talks, though she did not elaborate in detail.
Her comments reflect a view that the absence of a deal does not necessarily indicate a breakdown in diplomacy, but rather highlights the complexity of the issues involved.
The latest round of U.S.–Iran talks ended without a formal agreement, with both sides maintaining differences over key issues including nuclear commitments and sanctions. However, neither side has ruled out future engagement.
Mufti said that while the United States may not have secured immediate gains, the continuation of dialogue itself remains significant.
She concluded by expressing hope that sustained engagement between the two countries would eventually lead to a constructive outcome. [KNT]
