Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi (L) and Omani State Minister for Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Muscat, May 26, 2019


Iran is denying that it is in talks with the Trump Administration, but speculation is growing of indirect discussions via mediators.

On Sunday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met Oman’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, in Muscat.

The encounter drew attention because Oman has often served as a diplomatic broker between Iran and the US, whose direct relations were broken in 1979 after the Islamic Revolution.

The Gulf kingdom was a vital channel in discussions that set up the formal negotiations leading to the July 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the 5+1 Powers (US, UK, Germany, France, Russia, and China). The Trump Administration withdrew from the agreement in May 2018 and imposed comprehensive sanctions on the Islamic Republic in November.

Araqchi denied that his visit to Muscat was indirect contact with Washington, saying it was Tehran’s readiness for “balanced and constructive relations with all countries in the Persian Gulf region based on mutual respect and interests”.

He indicated that removal of American restrictions on Iran’s troubled economy was a precondition for any talks: “Imposing sanctions on Iran is a failed experience, which has been repeatedly tested in the past.”

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi ostensibly dismissed reports but added an important caveat at the start of his denial, “Currently there are no direct or indirect talks between Iran and the US.”

Several countries have encouraged the contacts after Donald Trump’s declaration earlier this month, offsetting US moves towards military confrontation, that “phone numbers” had been given to Tehran. He said this could set up discussions between him and Iranian leaders.

Oman’s Alawi said last Friday that any war in the Middle East would be harmful to the entire world and said his country is trying to reduce tensions between Iran and the US.

Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled al-Jarallah said on Saturday that negotiations between Tehran and Washington have started.

As Donald Trump visited Japan over the weekend, Japanese officials said, “We are planning to use our long standing friendly ties with Iran to help secure peace and stability in the region.”

The statement came days after Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javed Zarif was in Tokyo.

Any indirect negotiations are juxtaposed with the public rejection by Iran’s top officials. Last week the Supreme Leader criticized President Hassan Rouhani and Zarif by declaring that he had not favored the talks leading to the 2015 nuclear agreement.

Rouhani responded with a tougher line towards the US, saying any claims of current negotiations were “mere lies” as the Trump Adminsitration tries to force the Iranian nation to its knees.

Iran Daily, May 24: After Khamenei’s Rebuke, Rouhani Takes Tough Line on US
Iran Daily, May 23: Supreme Leader Blames Rouhani and Zarif for 2015 Nuclear Deal