Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Oman for nuclear talks with the United States, marking a significant step in ongoing negotiations following reported progress from previous discussions. The talks will involve representatives from both nations and aim to address issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi will mediate the dialogue, underscoring the importance of goodwill from both parties for successful outcomes.
Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, arrived in Oman on Friday for crucial nuclear discussions with the United States. This move comes after both nations reported some progress from earlier talks. The news of his arrival was shared by Esmaeil Baqaei, a spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, who confirmed on X that Araghchi and his team landed in Muscat for what is the third round of indirect discussions with U.S. representatives.
In a brief video posted by Iran’s Mehr news agency, Araghchi was seen exiting an Iranian government plane upon his arrival in Muscat. During these talks, he will lead a delegation comprised of diplomats and technical experts. On the U.S. side, special envoy Steve Witkoff will represent the interests of the United States, while Michael Anton, who heads the State Department’s policy planning, is expected to lead technical discussions.
The Iranian technical team will see the involvement of deputy foreign ministers Kazem Gharibabadi and Majid Takht-Ravanchi. Baqaei reiterated Iran’s commitment to uphold its legal right to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, suggesting the focus would be on proving its program’s peaceful intentions. “Termination of unlawful and inhumane sanctions in an objective and speedy manner is a priority that we seek to achieve,” he stated.
Negotiations are being mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, with talks scheduled for Saturday morning. This follows two previous rounds of dialogues in Muscat and Rome, which kicked off in April. Despite the ongoing diplomatic efforts, tensions remain high, particularly since President Trump reimposed strict sanctions on Iran under a tough stance dubbed “maximum pressure”.
Earlier this year, Trump reached out to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with a suggestion for discussions but warned of potential military action should negotiations fail. The longstanding accusation from Western nations claims Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, a charge that Iran strongly denies, insisting its ambitions are solely peaceful.
Baqaei mentioned that genuine progress hinges on the other side demonstrating goodwill and seriousness. Araghchi himself noted that the Iranian side is committed to these talks and indicated that if both parties approach discussions earnestly, there might be opportunities for advancement.
The backdrop of this negotiation is significant, recalling how Trump pulled the U.S. from a major nuclear agreement in 2018 that had eased sanctions on Iran in exchange for limitations on its nuclear activities. Now, Iran enriches uranium to levels significantly above the agreement limits, although still below weapons-grade standards.
In a Friday interview with Time Magazine, Trump indicated a willingness to lead aggressive actions against Iran if nuclear discussions do not yield a satisfactory agreement, yet he also expressed hope that a new deal could still be accomplished, even suggesting willingness to engage directly with Khamenei.
The arrival of Abbas Araghchi in Oman signifies a renewed attempt at nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States. Both sides assert some progress in past discussions, with a focus on addressing sanctions and Iran’s nuclear intentions. As talks approach, the outcome remains uncertain, particularly given the historical context of mistrust and high-stakes rhetoric from both nations. Amid ongoing tensions, the commitment to these discussions may highlight a critical juncture in diplomatic relations.
Original Source: www.france24.com
