Iran hints at indirect US talks via Oman despite Khamenei's rejection

Iran’s foreign minister on Thursday signaled Tehran's willingness to engage in indirect negotiations with the United States through Oman, just a day after the Supreme Leader publicly ruled out talks.

During an interview with the Iran newspaper, Araghchi, when asked about using indirect channels like those in Muscat, said, "Yes, it is not a strange method, and it has happened repeatedly throughout history."

"Therefore, indirect negotiation is feasible... What is important is that the will to negotiate and reach a fair and just agreement comes up in equal conditions, and the form of it does not matter."

His remarks coincides with a trip by Anwar Gargash, diplomatic advisor to the UAE president, who delivered a letter from US President Donald Trump to Iranian authorities on Wednesday.

However, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, in a public address on the same day, dismissed the possibility of talks, saying that Trump's offer was aimed at deceiving public opinion.

"The US president's claim that 'we are ready to negotiate with Iran' is a deception aimed at misleading global public opinion," Khamenei said in a speech to student supporters, who, as usual, repeatedly chanted "Death to America!"

Talks of Muscat mediating between Tehran and Washington follows earlier reports of Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi's visit to Tehran in December, during which he was said to have carried a message from the Sultan of Oman to President Masoud Pezeshkian.

At the time, Araghchi denied that any message from Washington had been relayed. Oman has historically served as a diplomatic channel between Tehran and Washington.

Araghchi added that multiple countries are now involved, with close consultations taking place with Russia and China. "Negotiations are ongoing indirectly, and the channel with the three European countries remains open," he said.

Araghchi stressed that while the United States must ultimately lift sanctions, Iran will only engage in direct negotiations free from pressure and threats, and with assurances that national interests will be protected.

"If we enter negotiations in a situation where the other side is imposing maximum pressure, we will enter negotiations from a position of weakness and will not achieve any results," Araghchi explained.

Trump reinstated his "maximum pressure" campaign in February, aiming to reduce Iran’s oil exports to zero—reviving Washington’s hardline approach from his first term.

In 2018, during his first term, Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Actions or JCPOA, and imposed 'maximum pressure' sanctions on Tehran, reducing Iran’s oil exports to less than 300,000 barrels per day and implementing international banking sanctions.

Araghchi added, "This is not a matter of stubbornness or idealism, it is a matter of expertise. The other side must be shown that the pressure policy is not effective, so that we can sit at the negotiating table on equal terms."

New idea

Araghchi also said a new idea has been proposed to resolve outstanding nuclear issues between Iran and UN's nuclear watchdog, adding that the two sides are currently examining the proposal to resolve remaining disputes.

"We are cooperating with [IAEA chief Rafael] Grossi and the IAEA, and a new idea has been put forward to resolve the issues, which we are currently reviewing," he said, without elaborating.

Earlier this month, Grossi said Iran has significantly increased its supply of near-weapons-grade uranium in just three months, highlighting Tehran's unique position as the only non-nuclear weapon state enriching to such levels.

"Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60% U‑235 has increased to 275 kg, up from 182 kg in the past quarter," Grossi said in his statement to the agency’s Board of Governors on Monday.

Since 2021, when Iran began enriching uranium at higher levels, it has also significantly restricted the UN watchdog's ability to monitor its nuclear activities, including banning one third of the inspectors since 2023.

On Wednesday, the UN Security Council convened amidst escalating pressure on Iran regarding its nuclear program.

The United States urged the Council to take decisive action, accusing Iran of flagrantly defying resolutions and violating IAEA safeguards. The call came as Britain signaled its willingness to trigger the so-called snapback of UN sanctions if Iran fails to curb its uranium enrichment activities.

The meeting, requested by six Security Council members—France, Greece, Panama, South Korea, Britain, and the US—focused on Iran's persistent non-compliance with IAEA requests for information.

The urgency of the situation was underscored by the approaching October 18th deadline, after which Britain, France, and Germany will lose their ability to unilaterally initiate the reinstatement of international sanctions.

These nations have already informed the Council of their readiness to utilize the snapback mechanism to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.