Iran’s Foreign Minister Arrives in Oman for New Nuclear Talks with US
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Oman to engage in new nuclear talks with the US, following claims of prior progress. The discussions will focus on Iran’s nuclear program, with both parties seeking to find common ground while the backdrop of sanctions looms large. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi is set to mediate the talks.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Oman this past Friday, setting the stage for a new round of nuclear negotiations with the United States. This visit follows recent discussions in which both parties claimed to have made some headway. Araghchi’s visit was highlighted in a post by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei on X, stating that “Araghchi and his accompanying delegation arrived in Muscat for the third round of Iran-US talks.”
A brief video shared by Iran’s Mehr news agency captured Araghchi stepping off an Iranian government plane in Muscat. During these meetings, he will lead a group of diplomats and technical experts in indirect talks with the US delegation. Notably, the United States will be represented by Steve Witkoff, who has been appointed by President Donald Trump as special envoy to the Middle East. Meanwhile, Michael Anton, the head of policy planning at the State Department, will spearhead the technical discussions from the US side.
Additionally, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that Deputy Foreign Ministers Kazem Gharibabadi and Majid Takht-Ravanchi will also play a key role in leading the Iranian technical team. Baqaei emphasized the delegation’s commitment to securing Iran’s rights to utilize nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, insisting on a reasonable approach to affirm that its program is entirely peaceful. He stressed that the “termination of unlawful and inhumane sanctions” remains a priority in their agenda.
These talks are set to be mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, scheduled for Saturday morning. This round follows two earlier sets of negotiations held in Muscat and Rome starting back in April. The atmosphere is tense as discussions surface surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, long accused by Western nations, particularly the United States, of potentially seeking nuclear weapons—an assertion Tehran has continuously refuted.
Recently, Baqaei remarked that progress depends on the demonstration of goodwill, seriousness, and realism from the other side. Araghchi has echoed this sentiment, noting that Iran is committed to taking these discussions seriously. He commented that there is potential for advancement if the US engages earnestly.
Trump’s administration withdrew from the previous nuclear agreement in 2018, which had eased sanctions on Iran in exchange for limitations on its nuclear capabilities. Since then, Tehran has progressively scaled back its compliance and currently enriches uranium to levels of up to 60 percent—far exceeding the previously agreed cap but still below the level required for weapons-grade material. In a Time Magazine interview released Friday, Trump stated the US would be the leader in possible military actions against Iran if talks falter, though he expressed hope for a mutual agreement and indicated a willingness to meet with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In summary, the arrival of Iran’s Foreign Minister in Oman signals renewed efforts in the ongoing nuclear discussions with the United States. Both nations appear to be hopeful for progress, contingent upon goodwill and serious engagement. The backdrop of escalating sanctions and historical tensions hangs over these talks, as Iran navigates its nuclear ambitions amid international scrutiny. All eyes are now on the upcoming meetings and the potential for a breakthrough in the fraught relationship between Tehran and Washington.
Original Source: www.france24.com
