Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Oman on Saturday for nuclear negotiations with the US, holding meetings with Omani officials before pivotal talks.
These negotiations, to be headed by US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, will center on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, towards a fresh agreement following President Donald Trump pulling out of the 2015 agreement in 2018.The talks, to be held behind closed doors in Muscat, are seen as the highest-level between Iran and the US since the collapse of the initial accord.
Before the talks, Trump stated, “I want Iran to be a wonderful, great, happy country. But they can’t have a nuclear weapon.” Adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Shamkhani, made it clear that Iran desires ‘a real and fair agreement’, making “important and implementable proposals.” He further added that if Washington is willing to display goodwill, the way ahead would be ‘smooth’.
The talks will be led by Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi. Indirect talks will probably begin later in the day.
While Trump has threatened ‘military action’ unless an agreement is reached, Tehran has promised to drive out UN nuclear inspectors, which Washington considers ‘an escalation’. The 2015 nuclear deal tried to prevent Iran from making an atomic bomb but allow a civilian nuclear program.
