Iran (IMNA) - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will engage in indirect discussions mediated by Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi. Both delegations will remain in separate rooms, exchanging messages through the Omani mediator, as Iran insisted on indirect talks rather than face-to-face meetings favored by Trump.
Following the first round, Araghchi described the talks as conducted in a "productive, calm and positive atmosphere," noting a brief encounter between the two delegations after the session. He confirmed that both sides agreed to continue negotiations, likely next Saturday, emphasizing that "Iran and the U.S. side want an agreement in the short term" and are not interested in talks "for the sake of talks."
American officials also characterized the initial discussions as constructive, with President Trump stating that the talks with Iran are progressing well.
The talks occur amid heightened tensions, with Trump warning of potential military action should diplomacy fail. Iran, while open to negotiations, demands guarantees that its nuclear program will be respected and that sanctions will be lifted without conditions that undermine its sovereignty.
Rome was chosen as the venue following mutual agreement and at Oman’s suggestion, with arrangements coordinated between the governments of Oman and Italy. The Omani embassy in Rome serves as the meeting place for the indirect talks.
Iranian officials remain cautious about the outcome, acknowledging the challenges ahead but affirming their commitment to diplomacy as the civilized path to lasting peace, in contrast to the imposition of force.
This round of negotiations represents a critical juncture in efforts to revive dialogue after the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018 and the reinstatement of sanctions by the Trump administration.
The talks will continue to focus on Iran’s nuclear activities, the lifting of sanctions, and the assurance that the U.S. will not unilaterally withdraw from any future agreement as it did previously.
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