WANA (Apr 26) – Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, provided updates to reporters regarding the third round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States currently underway in Muscat.

 

According to Baghaei, the talks, which began around 10 a.m., are being conducted separately in different rooms, with Oman facilitating the discussions as in the previous two rounds. Heads of the Iranian and American delegations are present at the venue.

 

Iran’s technical-expert delegation, led by the political and legal-international deputy ministers, is participating in the negotiations. The team includes seasoned experts in sanctions, particularly those specializing in economic and banking issues, as well as specialists in nuclear affairs and Iran’s interaction with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

 

Baghaei emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran remains steadfast in its principled positions, particularly regarding the necessity of lifting oppressive sanctions and its readiness to build confidence about the peaceful nature of its nuclear program.

 

He further noted that experience has shown that reaching an understanding requires respecting Iran’s legitimate rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and providing credible assurances regarding the effective lifting of sanctions.

 

The first round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the U.S., mediated by Oman, was held on April 12 in Muscat, and the second round of talks took place in Rome on Saturday, April 19, again with Oman as the intermediary. Both sides expressed optimism about the process and agreed to continue discussions in Oman.