Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will attend the 8th Indian Ocean Conference in Oman, following an official invitation. Bilateral meetings with foreign ministers are expected. The visit coincides with U.S.-Iran tensions, with Trump’s interest in negotiations facing skepticism from Iran’s leadership who oppose talks with the U.S. regarding their nuclear program.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to visit Oman to participate in the upcoming 8th Indian Ocean Conference, hosted jointly by Oman, India, and Singapore. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the visit, which will occur following an official invitation, although the specific dates were not disclosed. During his trip, Minister Araghchi is expected to hold bilateral discussions with various foreign ministers and officials attending the conference.
The conference is scheduled for Sunday and Monday. Historically, Oman has served as a mediator between Iran and Western powers, which is particularly relevant given the current geopolitical climate. This visit occurs amidst ongoing tensions following U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks concerning negotiations with Iran regarding its nuclear program and the reinstatement of sanctions.
President Trump expressed his desire for a peaceful agreement, stating, “I’d love to make a deal with them without bombing them.” These comments come in light of his administration’s reinforced “maximum pressure” policy against Iran, which has continued to assert that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons, contrary to allegations from the West.
In 2018, President Trump withdrew the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, a landmark nuclear agreement with Iran, reimposing strict sanctions that had significant impacts on the Iranian economy. Following this, Tehran began to scale back its commitments to the nuclear deal in response to the U.S.’s withdrawal from the agreement.
Recently, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei advised against further negotiations with the United States, citing prior negative experiences and asserting that “No problem will be solved by negotiating with America.” His statement underscores the Iranian leadership’s skepticism regarding diplomatic engagements with U.S. officials.
In summary, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s visit to Oman for the Indian Ocean Conference signifies ongoing diplomatic efforts amidst heightened tensions between Iran and the United States. The visit reflects Oman’s historical mediating role, set against the backdrop of U.S. sanctions and the complexities of nuclear negotiations. Iran’s Supreme Leader’s position highlights the challenges of future diplomacy with the United States.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
