Iran said on Saturday that it has started “indirect talks” with the United States in Oman on nuclear issues and was potentially lifted against what Tehran says, “unjust and illegal” sanctions against what Tehran says.
In a post on social media, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said that the Islamic Republic Foreign Minister Abbas Argchi and Steve Witcoff, US President Donald Trump, are holding talks between the messengers in the middle east. Both are leading the delegation of their respective countries.
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“Indirect talks between the Islamic Republic of Iran Foreign Minister Dr. Argchi and the US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steven Vitcooff began with the mediation of Omani Foreign Minister Badar Albusai,” the post read.
“These dialogues will be held at a place set by the Omani Host, sitting in different rooms in the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, and parties will express their positions and attitude to each other through Omani Foreign Minister.”
According to news agency AP, there is no overall agreement between the two sides.
Vitchoff arrived in Muscat, the capital of Oman, after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.
Talking to Iranian journalists before the meeting, Argchi said, “If both sides wish enough, we will decide on a time timetable. But it is still very early to talk about it. Now it is clear that the dialogue is indirect, and only on the nuclear issue to our view, to reach an agreement.
On the other hand, both Trump and Vitcoff described the talks as “direct”. The US President has also threatened Iran with a “serious threat” as to what dialogue should fall.
While the US can offer restrictions for Iran’s struggling economy, it is not clear how much Tehran will be ready to accept. Below 2015 nuclear dealIran can maintain a small reserves of up to 3.67 percent rich uranium. Today, its stockpile can allow it to manufacture several nuclear weapons if it chooses and some materials are rich in up to 60 percent, a small, technical step away from arms-grade levels. In 2018, Iran would ask to enrich uranium at least 20 percent of the talks since Trump unilaterally withdraws the US.
