Iranian FM Araghchi in Oman for Nuclear Talks with US Diplomats

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Oman for fresh nuclear talks with the United States, following progress in earlier discussions. The meetings will focus on Iran’s nuclear program and the removal of sanctions, with calls for goodwill from both sides. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi will mediate the dialogue, which could influence U.S.-Iran relations significantly.

Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, arrived in Muscat, Oman, on Friday to engage in renewed nuclear discussions with the United States. Both nations have indicated that previous dialogues yielded some progress, prompting the continuation of these talks. Esmaeil Baqaei, a spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, took to social media to announce Araghchi’s arrival alongside his delegation in Oman for the third round of negotiations.

Upon his arrival, video footage released by Iran’s Mehr news agency captured Araghchi stepping off an Iranian government aircraft. He is tasked with leading a team of diplomats and technical specialists in indirect discussions with U.S. representatives. The U.S. delegation will be headed by Steve Witkoff, a special envoy for the Middle East.

This upcoming round of discussions will focus on Iran’s nuclear program, with Michael Anton, who oversees policy planning at the State Department, spearheading the technical dialogues from the U.S. side. Notably, Iran’s technical delegation will be led by Deputy Foreign Ministers Kazem Gharibabadi and Majid Takht-Ravanchi.

According to Baqaei, the Iranian delegation aims to uphold the nation’s rights to utilize nuclear energy for peaceful purposes whilst assuring the international community that their nuclear program remains entirely non-military. Furthermore, Baqaei emphasized that lifting “unlawful and inhumane sanctions” is a critical goal of the ongoing talks.

The Omani Foreign Minister, Badr Albusaidi, is expected to mediate the dialogue on Saturday morning. These discussions follow two previous rounds that took place in Oman and Rome, which started back in April.

Since taking office, President Donald Trump has reinstated extensive sanctions on Iran as a part of his “maximum pressure” campaign. This move followed his withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, which had previously limited Tehran’s nuclear ambitions in exchange for sanctions relief. Iran initially adhered to the agreement but later reduced its compliance, currently enriching uranium at levels significantly above the limits set by the deal.

In a recent interview, Araghchi expressed a serious commitment to the talks while urging the other side to exhibit goodwill and realism in order to foster progress. He indicated that significant advancements are possible if both parties approach the negotiations earnestly. Trump, while potentially open to discussions with Iranian leadership, warned that the U.S. would “lead the pack” in retaliatory measures if the nuclear talks do not align with U.S. interests.

In summary, Abbas Araghchi’s arrival in Oman marks a significant step in the ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and the United States. With both sides hoping for constructive dialogue, the focus will be on Iran’s nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions. The outcomes of this meeting, mediated by Oman, could reshape the landscape of U.S.-Iran relations. The commitment from both parties to engage earnestly may define the future of these critical negotiations.

Original Source: www.france24.com