Iran said the country’s delegation discussed directly with the US for a few minutes after the indirect negotiation in Oman on nuclear issues.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi today led the country’s delegation negotiated with the American delegation led by the Middle Eastern Middle East Steve Witkoff. This is the first US official with Iran since President Donald Trump came to power.
“The indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States began,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman ESMACM Baghaei said that each party will have a separate room and exchange through Foreign Minister Omanid Badr Albusaidi.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry later announced that Tehran’s delegation had “directly dialogue in minutes” with Washington, adding that the negotiations took place “in the atmosphere of construction, respect for each other” and the two sides will continue to make diplomatic efforts next week.
Secretary of Oman, an intermediary for the US and Iranian delegation, also confirmed the negotiations took place in the friendly atmosphere, starting the efforts towards “fair and binding agreement”.
Oman’s anonymous official said negotiations focused on the goal of reducing regional tensions, exchanging prisoners and loosening sanctions on Iran in exchange for the terms of the nuclear program control of the country.
Foreign Minister Araghchi (left) and his counterpart Albusaidi in Muscat, Oman, April 12. Photo: Reuters
The negotiations took place in the middle of Tehran sought to loosen sanctions that were paralyzed in the country’s economy, while President Trump maintained the “maximum pressure” campaign and constantly threatened to use force with Iran.
Iran repeatedly denied negotiations directly with the United States, but accepted the intermediary dialogue. Iranian President Masoud Peezeshkian said on April 5 that Tehran was ready to participate in dialogue with Washington on the basis of equality, but still showed doubt the sincerity of the United States.
Iran and the powers in 2015 signed an agreement called the overall action plan (JCPOA), in which Tehran agreed to restrict the nuclear program to loosen sanctions.
During the first term, Trump withdrew the US from JCPOA and continued to impose punishment to Iran. In response, Tehran then gradually abandoned many commitments on nuclear control.