Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran
Tehran, Feb 11: Iran’s Foreign Ministry has dismissed reports suggesting that indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington could be held outside Oman, reaffirming that Muscat has always been the agreed location for any such engagement, state media reported.
Speaking at a press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Oman remains the designated venue for the proposed talks and clarified that no alternative site had ever been under consideration.
Baqaei added that Iran appreciates diplomatic initiatives by regional and neighboring countries that have expressed readiness to help lower tensions and facilitate dialogue. He noted that Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has been in communication with counterparts across the region and beyond, particularly with officials concerned about maintaining regional peace and stability.
According to the spokesperson, these consultations have occurred at the highest levels of government, including coordination involving Iran’s president and foreign minister, with the aim of easing tensions and advancing diplomatic efforts.
Meanwhile, Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, arrived in Muscat on Tuesday for discussions with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi, as reported by Oman’s official news agency. The two sides reviewed regional and global developments and emphasised dialogue and cooperation as key to strengthening regional security.
In a separate development, Larijani issued a statement on social media ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Wednesday, where Iran is expected to be a central topic. He cautioned that the United States should not allow Netanyahu to shape the parameters of any potential nuclear negotiations through political pressure.
Israel has maintained that Iran cannot be relied upon in matters concerning its nuclear programme and has indicated it may consider unilateral measures if diplomatic efforts do not align with its security concerns. Before leaving for Washington, Netanyahu said discussions on Iran would be the primary focus of his talks with President Trump.