Araghchi confirms: Nuclear talks with Washington in Muscat on Friday
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi categorically confirmed that the upcoming talks with the United States regarding the nuclear issue are still scheduled to take place this Friday in Muscat, the capital of Oman. This confirmation refutes media reports circulated by Western platforms, most notably Axios, which had previously suggested the possibility of the negotiations collapsing before they even began.
Araqchi explained in official statements and a tweet via the “X” platform that the negotiation round will start around ten o’clock in the morning, expressing his appreciation for the role played by the Sultanate of Oman in creating the atmosphere and the necessary logistical and political arrangements to ensure the success of this sensitive meeting.
The Omani role: A renewed historical mediation
The choice of Muscat as the venue for these talks comes as no surprise to observers, as the Sultanate of Oman has long played the role of a trusted "post office" and impartial mediator between Tehran and Western capitals. Muscat boasts a rich diplomatic history in this regard, having hosted the secret talks that paved the way for the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action). International actors view Omani diplomacy as a cornerstone of de-escalation in the Gulf region, given its balanced relations with all parties.
Context of the nuclear crisis and historical background
These talks are of exceptional importance given the prolonged stalemate in the Iranian nuclear file, particularly since the unilateral US withdrawal from the nuclear agreement in 2018 and the subsequent reimposition of stringent economic sanctions on Tehran. In response, Iran has gradually reduced its nuclear commitments, increasing its uranium enrichment levels and raising concerns within the international community and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Those meeting in Muscat are seeking to find a consensus formula that will prevent the region from sliding into a nuclear arms race or an open military confrontation, especially in light of the complex geopolitical circumstances currently facing the Middle East.
Iran's red lines and the negotiating delegation
In preparation for the talks, Tehran reiterated its adherence to its "red lines," with the Iranian leadership repeatedly emphasizing that negotiations would be limited exclusively to the nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions. Tehran categorically rejected including its ballistic missile program, regional influence, and defense capabilities on the negotiating table, considering these matters sovereign and non-negotiable.
Iranian media reported that the Iranian delegation will be headed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and will include high-ranking diplomats with experience in international negotiations, such as Majid Takht-Ravanchi and Kazem Gharibabadi. The US side will be represented by envoy Steve Wittkopf, a move reflecting Washington's desire to explore opportunities for de-escalation.
Field tensions and internal unrest
These diplomatic developments come amid a tense atmosphere, with the United States bolstering its military presence in the region by deploying an aircraft carrier and its strike group as a deterrent amid escalating tensions. Alongside these external pressures, Tehran faces significant internal challenges.
Iranian authorities have officially acknowledged that more than 3,000 people were killed during the recent unrest, describing the events as having transformed from protests into "riots" instigated from abroad. In a contrasting account, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported a death toll of 6,872, highlighting the extent of internal discontent that is impacting Iran's negotiating position internationally.
