We, Iran starts indirect conversations in Oman amid core standard | Today news

The United States and Iran started on Saturday (April 12) with indirect high-level talks in Oman to facilitate growing tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program and prevent the risk of military conflict. This is the first direct diplomatic involvement under the current term of US President Donald Trump. Discussions by a Mediator Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abbas Araqchi, lead the delegation of Tehran, while Trump’s envoy of the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, represents Washington. However, the two sides do not meet face to face. Instead, messages are conveyed via Oman Foreign Minister, Badr Al-Busaidi. “Iran and the United States have begun indirect discussions with the Omani Foreign Minister,” Iranian Ministry spokeswoman Esmail Baghaei posted on X (formerly Twitter). Focus areas: Recycles, sanctions and prisoners according to a senior Omani source, the discussions will focus on regional ranges, exchange of prisoners and possible limited sanctions in exchange for controls over Iran’s fast-promoting nuclear program. “There is a chance for initial understanding of further negotiations if the other party (US) with an equal attitude has the discussions,” Araqchi told the Iranian State Television. A cautious Tehran Iran approaches the negotiations with deep suspicion, especially given Trump’s threats of military strikes. Prior to the talks, Araqchi met with Oman’s Foreign Minister in Muscat to sketch the position of Tehran. “This is the first meeting, and many fundamental and initial issues will be clarified,” Araqchi said. “Including whether there is sufficient will on both sides, we will make a decision on a timeline.” A senior Iranian official told Reuters that the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Araqchi ‘gave full authority’ for the talks. High interests for the region Any failure can increase the ghost of a larger regional conflict. The Middle East has seen a greater instability since 2023 with the ongoing war in Gaza and Lebanon, Iranian-Israeli rocket exchange, wooden attacks in the Red Sea and the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria. Core dispute at the core Iran maintains that its nuclear ambitions are peaceful, but Western powers and Israel consider Tehran’s enrichment of uranium – now 60% purity – as a step towards arms ability. Washington’s renewed “maximum pressure” campaign since February and Trump’s 2018 withdrawal from the 2015 Nuclear Number fueled the current impasse. Israel, which regards Iran’s program as an existential threat, has long promised to act militarily if diplomacy fails. No compromise on missiles Iran insists that its ballistic rocket program and defense capabilities are non -negotiable, an attitude that is likely to remain an important point. Although early signs of progress can temper the regional tension, both sides remain deeply entrenched in positions that have fueled more than two decades of nuclear rod. (With Reuters input) first published: 12 Apr 2025, 06:32 IST