Moscow intervenes: Iran to consult with Russia before negotiations with US

The second round of nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington will take place on Saturday, April 19, in Muscat (Oman), according to the Iranian state news agency IRNA, citing the spokesperson of Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmaeil Baghaei.

Earlier, the Italian news agency ANSA reported that Italy had agreed to host the second round of talks, and the Iraqi state news agency announced that Araqchi had told his Iraqi counterpart that the negotiations would take place soon in the Italian capital, with Oman acting as a mediator.

The spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Baghaei, stated that Araqchi will discuss the latest developments related to the talks in Muscat with Russian officials.

Moscow, a participant in the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, has supported Tehran's right to have a civilian nuclear program.

Trump is not trusted

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on crucial state matters, does not trust the United States, particularly Donald Trump.

However, Khamenei was compelled to cooperate with Washington in pursuit of a nuclear deal due to concerns that public anger in the country over economic difficulties could lead to mass protests and threaten the survival of the clerical establishment.

Tehran's concerns intensified with Trump's swift reactivation of his maximum pressure campaign when he returned to the White House in January.

On April 12, Iran and the US held the first stage of indirect negotiations. The parties discussed Iran's nuclear program and the possibility of lifting sanctions. Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the first round of talks took place in a constructive atmosphere and based on mutual respect.