Tehran/Washington, Feb 6 (.) Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Friday talks with US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Muscat, Oman, were constructive, adding that Tehran had made its position clear to Washington, limiting the bilateral talks strictly to its nuclear programme, and declining to hold any discussions on its ballistic missile programme.
Stating that further negotiations could only continue in the absence of any external threats or pressure, Araghchi in comments to state-controlled IRNA, said that Iran made it clear to Washington that “the subject of our talks is solely nuclear” and that Tehran would not engage Washington on any other matters.
He further stressed that negotiations must take place “in a calm environment, without tension and without threats.”
“The prerequisite for any dialogue is refraining from threats and pressure,” Araghchi said, adding that this point was raised “explicitly” and must be respected for the talks to move forward.
Praising the talks for being constructive, Araghchi said that talks marked a “good start” after the two sides held several rounds of meetings in Muscat today, though the overall result was still inconclusive, with the Iranian FM noting that any further progress would depend on consultations in the capitals.
“Several rounds of meetings were held today. Our views and concerns were conveyed in a very good atmosphere,” Araghchi said. “Overall, it was a good start, but the continuation depends on consultations in the capitals.”
“We are now at a stage where talks have begun after eight turbulent months,” Araghchi remarked.
Noting the widespread mistrust between the two sides to be a key thorn in diplomacy, especially due to Iran’s brief war with Israel last year, where the US later joined in the Israeli offensive, Araghchi stated that making progress in wake of the massive lack of trust and mutual animosity, makes progress a difficult task.
“After the 12-day war, mistrust emerged and that is a challenge on the path of negotiations. We first have to overcome this mistrust and define a framework for negotiations.
“If this approach and the other side’s outlook continue, we can reach a framework for negotiations,” Araghchi said.
He added that further talks would depend on both sides. “The continuation of the negotiations depends on the other side and, of course, on decision-making in Tehran,” he said.
Both sides post their talks in Muscat have agreed to keep negotiations going, after both sides outlined their positions.
The Hezbollah-affiliated broadcaster Al Mayadeen, reporting on the Iran-US talks, citing its correspondent in the Omani capital, mocked the talks and described them as “negotiations about negotiations, not negotiations over details.”
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