Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran
Tehran, Apr 15: Iran has confirmed that Muscat, the capital of Oman, will continue to host the second round of indirect negotiations with the United States over Tehran’s nuclear programme and sanctions relief.
“Following consultations, it was decided that Muscat continues to be the host of the second round of the negotiations, which are scheduled to be held on Saturday,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told the semi-official Mehr news agency on Tuesday.
The discussions, mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi, began last Saturday with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and US. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff holding indirect talks. The focus remains on nuclear commitments and possible lifting of US sanctions a thorny issue since Washington's unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018 under then President Donald Trump.
Trump had earlier this year sent a message to Iranian leaders via the UAE expressing interest in renewed dialogue, prompting Tehran to agree to indirect talks.
Although Italy had earlier signalled readiness to host the next round, Iranian officials clarified that the structure of the negotiations, including Oman's mediating role, would remain unchanged even if the location shifted. However, Baghaei reiterated that the talks will stay in Muscat for now.
“Iran does not view the location of the talks as significant it’s the framework that matters,” Baghaei stated, while ruling out any direct negotiations with Washington. “Indirect dialogue has worked in the past and will continue.”
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking from Expo 2025 in Osaka, had earlier said Italy was prepared to support any diplomatic effort, including hosting the dialogue, to resolve tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
As efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear agreement face persistent hurdles, Tehran and Washington’s engagement even if indirect is seen as a cautious step towards breaking the diplomatic deadlock.