TEHRAN: Iran stated on Friday (Apr 11) it was giving diplomacy a “real” likelihood in nuclear talks with america regardless of mounting stress from Washington, setting the stage for a showdown in Oman this weekend.
Longtime adversaries Iran and america are set to hold talks on Saturday in Muscat, aimed toward reaching a possible nuclear deal. President Donald Trump on Monday made a shock announcement that his administration would open negotiations with Iran.
Within the lead-up to Saturday talks, the longtime adversaries have engaged in a disagreement that noticed Trump threaten military action if the discussions fail.
Responding to Trump’s risk, an aide to supreme chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated Iran may expel UN nuclear inspectors, prompting in flip a US warning that such motion can be an “escalation”.
On Friday, overseas ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei stated Iran was “giving diplomacy a real likelihood in good religion and full vigilance”.
“America ought to recognize this determination, which was made regardless of their hostile rhetoric,” Baqaei stated in a submit on X.
Saturday’s talks come after Trump despatched a letter final month to Khamenei, urging negotiations and warning of doable navy motion if Tehran refuses.
Tehran responded weeks later, saying it was open to oblique negotiations and dismissed the potential of direct talks so long as america maintains its “most stress” coverage.
Trump stated the talks can be “direct” however Iran’s International Minister Abbas Araghchi has insisted they might be “oblique”.
Araghchi and US particular envoy Steve Witkoff will lead the talks.
Forward of the deliberate assembly, Washington continued its “most stress” coverage of sanctions on Iran, most lately concentrating on its oil community and nuclear programme.