Oman may host Iran-US talks: Iran's MFA spox
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Iran responds to a letter from US President Donald Trump and is awaiting Washington’s reply, naming Oman as its top choice to host potential indirect talks.
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Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, undated (Iran Press)
Iran views Oman as the leading candidate to host indirect talks with the United States, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry's spokesperson.
When asked about the widely discussed prospects of indirect talks between Iran and the US and the involvement of third parties, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated at a press conference on Monday, “The history of participation of other parties in advancing indirect negotiations is clear. In case such a process is shaped, Oman will be the chief nominee for that [hosting the talks].”
He also dismissed claims that such negotiations had already begun and rejected reports about the formation of a committee on the matter as speculation, asserting that “The Foreign Ministry is in charge of advancing any negotiations.”
Baghaei stated that Iran has replied to a letter from US President Donald Trump and is now waiting for Washington’s decision.
The spokesperson further said, "Iran’s proposal for indirect talks was generous and wise considering the background of the subject and the processes of the nuclear negotiations during the past decade. We are focusing on what we have proposed."
Trilateral consultations by Russia, China, and Iran to be held on Tuesday
Moreover, trilateral consultations by Russia, China, and Iran on the Iranian nuclear program will be held in Moscow on April 7-8, TASS cited the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai as saying in a press conference earlier on Monday.
Prior to that, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that the parties had agreed to concentrate their efforts on finding "viable and sustainable negotiating solutions" to address Western prejudices against Iran's nuclear program.
Read next: Iran serious about negotiations, firm in defending sovereignty: FM
Moreover, Iran has restated its refusal to hold direct talks with the United States over its nuclear program, instead demanding that all negotiations proceed through intermediaries. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed Tehran's position on Sunday, saying that no discussions with Washington have occurred and none will take place without mediation.
"We have stated our position – we are in favor of the diplomatic path and negotiations, but via mediators. Of course, it should be emphasized that not a single round of such talks has been held yet," Araghchi said in a statement posted on Telegram.
His comments came after US President Donald Trump threatened Iran with bombings if it refuses to accept his new 'nuclear deal'. Araghchi firmly rejected the idea of Iran following the model imposed on Libya in 2003—when Libya abandoned its WMD program in exchange for sanctions relief, only to later be invaded and see its leader killed.
"The US can only dream" of such an outcome with Iran, he stated.
Araghchi's reference to Libya alludes to the fate of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who was captured and killed by NATO-backed rebel forces in 2011 after agreeing to disarm years earlier.
Gaddafi, who had pushed for African unity and economic sovereignty through efforts like a gold-backed currency, was killed following a NATO airstrike on his convoy and an extrajudicial execution by opposition forces. His death, seen by many as a betrayal of a disarmament deal, has deeply influenced how nations like Iran assess US diplomatic overtures under threat.
