Latest news on Iran-US indirect talks in Oman/ Talks to continue next week

The exchange of messages between Tehran and Washington through intermediaries in recent weeks has resulted in an agreement to hold the first round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States in Oman.

According to this agreement, Iran and the United States will hold their indirect talks in Muscat on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 5:00 PM local time (4:30 PM Iran time), with Oman mediating.

The Iranian negotiating team in the indirect talks with the United States will be led by Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister.

On the opposing side, Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's special representative for Middle Eastern affairs, will be in charge of leading the negotiations.

End of the first round of Iran-US indirect talks

The indirect talks between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States on the issue of lifting sanctions and the nuclear issue ended a few minutes ago.

In these talks, which were mediated by Oman, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Steve Witkoff, Special Representative of the President of the United States for the Middle East, exchanged the positions of their respective governments on issues related to Iran's peaceful nuclear program and the lifting of illegal sanctions against Iran in a constructive atmosphere based on mutual respect, through the Foreign Minister of Oman.

The parties agreed that these talks will continue next week.

It is worth noting that after the end of more than two and a half hours of indirect talks, the heads of the Iranian and American delegations talked for a few minutes in the presence of the Foreign Minister of Oman as they left the talks.

Baghaei: The goal of indirect talks is to secure the country's national interests

Ismail Baghaei, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in an interview during the indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States in Oman, emphasized that the purpose of these talks is to serve the national interests.

Baghaei, stating that the Foreign Minister, while exchanging views with the Omani side that hosted these talks, said: "At the same time, we used this opportunity to submit a set of views and proposals from the Islamic Republic of Iran to the American side; naturally, this set of views and proposals were conveyed."

Baghaei emphasized: We are giving diplomacy a real and honest opportunity so that we can advance the nuclear issue on the one hand and, more importantly, the lifting of sanctions through dialogue.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman continued: The Islamic Republic of Iran has proven its commitment to diplomacy in practice over the past few decades; it has proven this well in practice on the nuclear issue over the past two decades; everyone knows the history and there is no need to review it; these talks demonstrate the determination of the Islamic Republic of Iran to secure the national interests of the Iranian people through diplomacy. 

Start of Indirect Talks Between Araghchi and Witkoff

Araghchi: Our intention is to reach an honorable agreement from an equal position

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister, stated a few hours before the start of the indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States in Oman: "The team accompanying me consists of highly specialized and knowledgeable individuals in this specific field, who also have a background in negotiations regarding this matter; we have participated with the necessary seriousness."

He continued: "Our intention is to reach a fair and honorable agreement from a position of equality, and if the other side also participates from the same position, God willing, there will be a chance for an initial understanding that could lead to a negotiation path."

The Foreign Minister emphasized: "In this meeting, many initial and fundamental issues will be clarified; including, if there is sufficient will on both sides, we will decide on a timeline, although it is still too early to discuss this."

Regarding the manner of conducting the negotiations, he said: "What is clear now is that the talks are indirect, and from our perspective, it is only on the nuclear issue, with the necessary determination to achieve an agreement from a position of equality that serves the national interests of the Iranian people."

Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Iran and Oman

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister, who traveled to Muscat at the head of a delegation to participate in indirect talks with the United States on the nuclear issue and the lifting of unjust and illegal sanctions, met with Seyed Badr Al-Busaidi, the Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman, upon his arrival in Muscat.

During this meeting, the Foreign Minister expressed pleasure at the strong and longstanding relations between the two countries in all fields, thanked Oman for its responsible approach to regional issues and developments, and considered hosting the indirect Iran-U.S. talks as a sign of this approach.

The Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman also welcomed Araghchi and his accompanying delegation, describing the bilateral relationship between Oman and Iran as exceptional, and thanked the Islamic Republic of Iran for choosing Muscat for these important talks.

During this meeting, Seyed Badr Al-Busaidi informed Araghchi about the arrangements and preparations made for today's indirect talks.

Additionally, as part of the indirect Iran-U.S. talks, the Foreign Minister provided the Omani Foreign Minister with the positions and stances of the Islamic Republic of Iran to be conveyed to the other side.