US-Iranian Talks in Muscat Achieve Tangible Progress
The choice of diplomacy as a path for dealing with the Iranian nuclear file comes at a time when Tehran faces increasing pressure due to the declining influence of its proxies in the region and growin
April 12, 2025, 10:18 pm

US-Iranian Talks in Muscat Achieve Tangible Progress

أمريكا وإيران \ تعبيرية \ متداول

The White House administration described the talks that brought together representatives from Washington and Tehran on Saturday in the Sultanate of Oman as a "step forward" in resolving disputes between the two countries.

The White House explained in a statement that US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Muscat, and held discussions described as "highly positive and constructive."

The statement added, "Special Envoy Witkoff confirmed to Araghchi that he received instructions from President Trump to address differences between the two countries through dialogue and diplomacy if possible," noting the complexity of the issues at hand and the importance of direct communication as a positive step toward achieving a result that serves the interests of both parties.

The statement indicated that the two sides agreed to hold a new round of talks next Saturday, April 19, in the Sultanate of Oman at the same level of representation.

US Envoy Witkoff tweeted on the "X" platform after the meeting: "We had a very positive and constructive conversation," confirming his return to the United States after the talks concluded.

For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran and Washington are "very close" to reaching an agreement on the basis for future negotiations, adding in a statement to state television: "In the meeting (today), I believe we have greatly approached the basis for negotiations, and if we can finalize (this) in the next meeting, we will have made significant progress."

Araghchi explained through his Telegram channel that the delegations held a brief direct meeting after emerging from indirect talks that lasted more than two and a half hours with Omani mediation, indicating that "the talks were conducted in a constructive and positive atmosphere."

The Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement that "the negotiations mediated by the Sultanate of Oman were held in a constructive atmosphere and on the basis of mutual respect," while the Tasnim agency quoted a member of the Iranian delegation describing the talks as "generally successful and conducted in a positive atmosphere."

These talks, the first between Iran and the current Trump administration, come under pressured circumstances for Tehran after the weakening of its main allies Hamas and Hezbollah following the wars waged by Israel in Gaza and Lebanon, in addition to continued US strikes against the Iranian-backed Houthis, with American hints at a military option if the diplomatic path fails.

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