Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will visit Oman for the 8th Indian Ocean Conference, co-hosted by Oman, India, and Singapore. The conference presents opportunities for bilateral meetings with other officials. This visit follows U.S. President Trump’s expression of interest in negotiating with Iran over its nuclear program, while Iran’s leadership maintains a firm stance against talks with the U.S.
The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, is set to visit Oman to attend the 8th Indian Ocean Conference. This event is co-hosted by Oman, India, and Singapore and will take place in Muscat. The announcement was made by the foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, who did not specify the exact dates of the visit but indicated that Araghchi would engage in bilateral meetings with other foreign ministers and officials attending the conference.
Scheduled for Sunday and Monday, the conference comes at a notable time as Oman has historically served as a mediator between Iran and Western nations. This visit follows remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump, expressing a desire to negotiate with Iran regarding its nuclear program. Trump stated, “I’d love to make a deal with them without bombing them,” emphasizing a diplomatic approach.
Additionally, Trump, who returned to the presidency in January, has reinstated a stringent “maximum pressure” strategy towards Iran amidst suspicions of nuclear weapon development, allegations which Tehran firmly denies. Following the U.S. withdrawal from an agreement with Iran in 2018, sanctions were reimposed, leading Tehran to gradually reduce its compliance with the nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
A week prior to this visit, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, firmly declared that no new negotiations with the United States should take place, citing previous experiences as reasons for his stance. He asserted, “No problem will be solved by negotiating with America.” This suggests a continued tension in Iran-U.S. relations despite ongoing international discussions.
In conclusion, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s upcoming visit to Oman for the Indian Ocean Conference highlights key diplomatic efforts amid ongoing tensions with the United States over Iran’s nuclear program. The conference serves as a platform for potential dialogues, yet Iran’s leadership remains cautious regarding negotiations with Washington, indicating a complex geopolitical landscape.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
