ALWAGHT- In Muscat, the Iranian and US delegations engaged in their first round of indirect negotiations.
The indirect talks between Iran and the United States officially began in Muscat on Saturday, confirmed by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei. The discussions are mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, with both sides negotiating in separate rooms, relaying their positions through the mediator.
Iran’s primary goal in these talks is to safeguard its national interests, particularly focusing on the lifting of sanctions. Baghaei emphasized that Iran is giving diplomacy a "sincere and honest opportunity" to address not just nuclear issues but, more importantly, to resolve the sanctions crisis. Iran has always shown a commitment to diplomatic solutions, as evidenced by its nuclear diplomacy over the past two decades.
While Iran has rejected direct talks with the US due to President Trump’s “maximum pressure” policy, it is now willing to explore diplomatic avenues through this indirect format. Iranian officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi, have expressed hope for an agreement if the US refrains from threats and undue demands. They view the Oman talks as an initial step to gauge Washington’s intentions and potentially pave the way for a broader negotiation process.
