US and Iran to hold 'indirect' talks in Oman - NYT
Photo: Washington and Tehran speak out on Oman nuclear talks (Getty Images)
White House Head Donald Trump has stated that the US will hold direct nuclear negotiations with Iran. In Tehran, however, they claim the meeting will be "indirect," according to The New York Times.
The NYT noted that if the negotiations take place, it will be the first official "face-to-face" meeting between the two countries since Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal brokered under the 44th US President Barack Obama seven years ago. At the same time, the dialogue will take place "in great danger," as Iran has allegedly lost air defense around key nuclear facilities due to Israeli strikes in October 2024.
The head of Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abbas Araghchi, emphasized that high-level talks will take place in Oman, but in an "indirect format."
"It is as much an opportunity as it is a test. The ball is in America’s court," he added on X.
According to unnamed officials, if the indirect negotiations between the US and Iran are "respectful and productive," then the countries may agree to a direct meeting.
According to The Times of Israel:
-
The Iranian side will be represented by a team led by Araghchi;
-
The special envoy of the White House head, Stephen Witkoff, will head the American delegation;
-
Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi will act as the mediator.
Reuters notes that the negotiations will take place on Saturday, April 12.
US-Iran nuclear talks
Recently, https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/trump-says-there-will-be-bombing-if-iran-1743349291.htmlif Tehran refuses to sign a nuclear deal with Washington. In response, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei put the country's armed forces on high alert.
Meanwhile, John Caves, Senior Research Associate at the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, in a comment for RBC-Ukraine, explained whether Russia can act as a mediator between Iran and the US.
