Iran has confirmed plans to engage in indirect nuclear talks with the United States, with Oman serving as mediator. 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced the negotiations would take place on Saturday, shortly after US President Donald Trump claimed direct talks were already underway.

According to Iranian state media, Araghchi is expected to meet with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. 

While Trump had previously stated talks had begun, Tehran dismissed the idea of direct negotiations, calling them “meaningless” over the weekend.

Speaking at the White House alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said: “We’re having direct talks with Iran... We’ll see what happens.

” He reiterated threats against Iran, warning of severe consequences if diplomatic efforts failed. “They can’t have nuclear weapons,” he stressed.

The Trump administration’s claim has been met with skepticism in Tehran. Nournews, linked to Iran’s security apparatus, described the announcement as a psychological tactic aimed at shaping public opinion.

Tehran maintains its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, rejecting any ambitions to develop weapons. It has also made clear it is only open to indirect diplomacy through trusted intermediaries.

Oman, which played a pivotal role in brokering the 2015 nuclear deal, will again mediate. That agreement, from which Trump withdrew in 2018, had imposed strict limits on Iran’s nuclear activities in return for sanctions relief.

China, which recently hosted trilateral talks with Iran and Russia, has urged the US to show sincerity in negotiations and to return to the original nuclear agreement.

Meanwhile, Trump also commented on the Gaza conflict, suggesting a ceasefire could be reached “in the not-too-distant future,” although no details were provided.

Alongside regional tensions, Trump offered to mediate disputes between Israel and Turkiye, highlighting his close relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Source: Al Jazeera 

BDST: 1508 HRS, APR 08, 2025
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