“Together with a group of our most experienced colleagues, we are heading to Muscat, accompanied by the esteemed minister of foreign affairs,” Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on X.
The goal of the discussions between US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is to begin negotiations about reining in Tehran’s nuclear program after Trump unilaterally withdrew from an earlier accord.
Washington has insisted that the talks will be direct, while Tehran maintains they will be indirect.
On Friday, an advisor to Iran’s supreme leader labeled a pathway to a deal as “clear” if the US is likewise ready.
“Tehran seeks a real, just deal - away from media show and rhetoric. If Washington shows determination for a deal, the path to agreement will be clear,” Ali Shamkhani said on X.
Under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear enrichment program in exchange for much-needed relief from crippling sanctions.
The deal began unraveling in 2018 when Trump, during his first term, unilaterally withdrew and imposed biting sanctions on the Islamic republic, which in turn began rolling back on its nuclear commitments.
Upon returning to office, Trump in early February restored his “maximum pressure” policy against Tehran, arguing that it is “too close” to a nuclear weapon.
Stressing that the US and Israel prefer a diplomatic solution over military confrontation with Iran, Trump on Monday did not rule out military action against Tehran, stating that "if the talks aren't successful… I think Iran is going to be in great danger.”
Iran has always maintained that its nuclear ambitions are peaceful. In a rare op-ed on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi stated that “under no circumstances will Iran ever seek, develop or acquire any nuclear weapons.”
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