Iran Says U.S. Talks Show Seriousness as Oman Mediation Persists
Iran Says U.S. Talks Show Seriousness as Oman Mediation Persists
Iran says indirect talks via Oman signal Washington's seriousness, as regional tensions rise ahead of Netanyahu's Washington visit.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said indirect talks with the United States, conducted through Omani mediators in Muscat last week, allowed Tehran to gauge Washington's seriousness and showed enough consensus to continue along the diplomatic track. The Muscat engagement came as a U.S. naval flotilla was positioned in the region, a move Tehran described as a reminder of the high-stakes environment surrounding negotiations over Iran's nuclear program.
Esmaeil Baghaei, the spokesperson, said the Muscat meeting was short, intended to assess the other side's seriousness and how to proceed. He stressed that, after the talks, there was an understanding and a consensus to press on with diplomacy and to carry the effort forward through regional consultations that included Ali Larijani, an advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader.
Ali Larijani, who previously served as parliament speaker and now acts as secretary to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, is expected to carry Iran’s responses from the initial round of talks to further discussions. His planned travels—first to Oman and then to Qatar—are described as pre-planned follow-ups meant to maintain momentum on the diplomatic track.
On the Israeli front, Prime Minister Netanyahu is preparing to press his case in Washington, with discussions focusing on Iran's nuclear and missile programs. The United States has reportedly urged a measured approach, while Tehran has reiterated its position on enrichment rights, a stance that critics say could complicate any potential compromise. The broader mood remains cautious, with officials on both sides signaling openness to dialogue even as the regional security picture stays volatile.
Observers note that diplomacy continues amid a complex web of regional and global pressures. The Muscat channel is presented as a necessary conduit to prevent misunderstanding and escalation, even as the U.S. showcases its readiness to act if diplomacy falters and Iran continues to insist on its enrichment prerogatives.
