Iran’s Araghchi Says Muscat Talks Focused Solely on Nuclear Issue
Iran’s Foreign Minister announced that the indirect talks held on Friday in Muscat, Oman’s capital, were focused exclusively on the nuclear issue, and the assessment of their outcomes is still ongoing. He stated that the overall approach of both sides is to continue the negotiations, but the final decision will be made after consultations in the respective capitals.
Seyed Abbas Araghchi explained at a press conference that this round of talks resembled previous negotiations in form, remaining indirect and facilitated by the Omani Foreign Minister. He emphasized that only the nuclear topic was discussed, with no other agenda items included.
According to Araghchi, Iran entered this process with greater caution based on past experiences. He described this round as an evaluation phase intended to gauge the other side’s seriousness, adding that the continuation of some sanctions or military movements could affect the assessment of trust.
In response to questions about proposals from the American side, the Iranian minister stated that zero enrichment is absolutely unacceptable to Tehran. He stressed that the focus should be on continuing enrichment alongside confidence-building measures to ensure its peaceful nature.
Regarding the timing and location of the next round of talks, Araghchi said these would be decided in future consultations and that the venue might change, but the negotiations will remain indirect. He noted that indirect talks are common in international relations and do not pose an obstacle to reaching an agreement.
He also discussed the role of regional countries, saying that compared to previous talks, there has been a stronger presence of regional consultations this time. However, he clarified that this involvement does not equate to direct interference but consists of ongoing talks and contacts aimed at facilitating progress in the negotiations.
Referring to his recent visit to Qatar, the Iranian foreign minister said that the support of regional countries for the negotiation process has been positive, and these consultations will continue alongside coordination with Russia and China. He emphasized that these countries have been kept informed throughout the talks.
In conclusion, Araghchi reiterated that missile and regional issues are not on the negotiation agenda, which remains solely centered on the nuclear file. He affirmed Tehran’s right to continue enrichment, viewing it as part of its scientific and national achievements.
