Wafric News – May 10, 2025

Gulf Region – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is on a strategic diplomatic tour of the Gulf, with stops in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, just days ahead of renewed indirect nuclear negotiations with the United States scheduled to take place in Oman on Sunday.

The upcoming talks mark the fourth round of discussions aimed at de-escalating long-standing tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme. Tehran has confirmed that a technical delegation will participate in the Oman session, which comes after weeks of regional and international shuttle diplomacy.

Speaking to Iranian state media on Saturday, Araghchi emphasized the need for regional engagement ahead of what he described as “crucial and complex” negotiations. “As the process moves forward, it demands deeper consultation and coordinated efforts with our regional partners,” he said.

Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi announced that, after close coordination with both Tehran and Washington, the postponed dialogue—initially set for May 3 in Rome—will now take place in Muscat. The shift was attributed to what Omani officials called “logistical reasons.”

Sources familiar with the matter have confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to lead the American side during the Oman discussions.

The Oman talks are the latest attempt to resuscitate diplomacy over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which have faced international scrutiny since the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) under the Trump administration.

The original agreement, reached under President Barack Obama, offered Iran sanctions relief in exchange for limits on uranium enrichment and robust international inspections. However, its collapse in 2018 led to a rapid acceleration of Iran’s nuclear activity—fueling fears among Western nations that Tehran could be edging closer to weaponization.

Tehran has consistently maintained that its nuclear programme is peaceful and civilian in nature.

In a Thursday radio interview, Trump suggested he remains open to diplomacy but insisted on “total verification” of Iran’s nuclear facilities. “I’d much rather make a deal than go to war,” he told conservative host Hugh Hewitt. Yet, he bluntly stated, “There are only two alternatives – blow ’em up nicely or blow ’em up viciously.”

Meanwhile, Witkoff, in a separate interview with Breitbart News, laid out strict U.S. conditions for any agreement. “If Iran truly doesn’t want nuclear weapons, their centrifuges must go, their enriched fuel must be shipped out, and their facilities restructured for purely civilian purposes,” he said.

As part of what Iranian officials call “ongoing regional dialogue,” Araghchi’s visits to Riyadh and Doha have focused on building understanding with Gulf neighbours who have a vested interest in the stability of the region and the direction of Iran’s nuclear programme.

“Our consultations with Saudi Arabia and Qatar are based on shared concerns and regional interests,” Araghchi said on Saturday, highlighting the importance of transparency and dialogue with neighbouring countries.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei confirmed that the Iranian delegation heading to Muscat includes nuclear experts and technical advisors. He declined to comment on the composition of the U.S. team.

As global attention turns once again to the Gulf, the outcome of Sunday’s talks could signal whether diplomacy still holds a viable path forward in resolving one of the Middle East’s most enduring security challenges.


By WafricNews Desk.