Tehran, Apr 12 (EFE).- Iran and the United States began indirect negotiations Saturday in Oman over Tehran’s nuclear program, amid mounting tensions and threats of military action from US President Donald Trump.
The talks are taking place under the shadow of sharp disagreements over the scope of the dialogue.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Ismail Baghaei, confirmed the start of the discussions on X, saying Omani diplomats are serving as intermediaries between the two rival delegations.
The negotiating teams met in separate rooms to exchange their views and positions through Oman Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al Busaidi.
Iran’s delegation is led by Foreign Minister Abás Araqchí, while the US is represented by Steve Witkoff, the Special Envoy for the Middle East.
While Washington says the negotiations will be direct, Tehran maintains they are strictly indirect.
Speaking upon his arrival in Muscat, Araqchí said Saturday that Tehran aimed to reach a “fair and honorable” agreement with the United States over its nuclear program, as the two sides prepare for indirect talks in Oman.
“Our intention is to reach a fair and honorable agreement from a position of equality,” Araqchí told Iranian state television. “If the other party also comes with the same stance, God willing, there will be an opportunity for an initial understanding that can open the door to further negotiations.”
Araqchí arrived in Muscat earlier in the day and met with Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al Busaidi, who will serve as a mediator in the talks between the long-standing rivals.
During the meeting with the Omani minister, Araqchí conveyed “the key points and positions” of the Islamic Republic.
The United States will be represented by Steve Witkoff, the special envoy for the Middle East.
Araqchí emphasized that the discussions will be “indirect” and limited strictly to Iran’s nuclear program, excluding issues such as Tehran’s missile program and its for regional armed groups like Yemen’s Houthis and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
“What is clear is that the negotiations will be indirect and, from our point of view, will only address the nuclear issue,” he said.
However, Washington has stated in recent days that it expects direct talks and seeks to broaden the scope of discussions to include Iran’s ballistic missiles and regional activities.
The talks come amid heightened tensions following repeated threats from US President Donald Trump of a potential military action against Iran if it refuses to negotiate.
Iran has also recently warned that it may sever all cooperation with the United Nations nuclear watchdog.
During his first term (2017–2021), Trump pulled the US out of the 2015 pact, which had imposed strict limits on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
Since then, Iran has expanded its nuclear program well beyond the limits.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Tehran now possesses 274 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity, close to the 90 percent level required for weapons-grade material. EFE
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