Iran presents ‘preliminary plan’ to US in Oman-hosted nuclear talks

TEHRAN, Iran

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has presented Tehran’s “preliminary plan” for managing the current standoff between Iran and the United States and advancing negotiations, according to Iranian media on Friday.

In a report published following the first round of indirect nuclear negotiations in Muscat, Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA said the “preliminary plan” was submitted to the Omani side, which is mediating the talks.

The indirect negotiations process began at around 11 a.m. Iran time on Friday, following weeks of heightened tensions between the two adversaries. Regional countries, particularly Türkiye, played a key role in easing tensions and encouraging both sides to reopen diplomatic channels.

During the first round of talks, Araghchi, who is leading the Iranian delegation, met with his Omani counterpart and host, Badr Albusaidi.

This was followed by a meeting between the Omani foreign minister and US special envoy Steve Witkoff.

IRNA confirmed that Araghchi and his accompanying delegation have since proceeded to a second round of consultations with the Omani foreign minister.

The “preliminary plan,” the agency said, was conveyed to Witkoff by Albusaidi, noting that the US side has completed its review of the plan.

In the first round, IRNA said both sides shared their views and considerations with the Omani hosts.

In a separate statement, the Omani Foreign Ministry said that as part of the country’s hosting of negotiations between Tehran and Washington, Albusaidi held separate consultations with the Iranian delegation led by Araghchi and the US delegation led by Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

These consultations, the statement said, focused on “creating suitable conditions for the resumption of diplomatic and technical negotiations,” while underscoring their importance in light of the parties’ commitment to the success of the talks in pursuit of lasting security and stability.

The Omani foreign minister once again reaffirmed his country’s commitment “to continued support for dialogue and bridging the parties’ viewpoints.”