Delegations from Iran and the US have agreed on a new round of technical negotiations at the level of experts, due to be held in Oman on Wednesday, April 23, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi was quoted by the local media in Tehran.
A new round of indirect talks between Iran and the US, mediated by Oman and held in Italy, came to an end on Saturday afternoon.
Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidy was exchanging messages between the two sides, like the previous round of talks in Muscat.
Speaking to IRIB after the talks, Araqchi said the negotiations lasted for around four hours.
Hailing the “good and forward-moving” negotiations in Rome, the foreign minister said the delegations managed to reach a better understanding on a series of principles and purposes.
Unveiling plans for the start of expert meetings, Araqchi said “technical negotiations at the level of experts” will begin in Oman as of Wednesday, April 23.
He said the experts will take the time to go into details and design a framework for a deal.
The foreign minister noted that the top negotiators will meet afterwards on Saturday to evaluate the results of the expert meetings and see how close they will be to an agreement.
Spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Esmaeil Baqaei had announced earlier that Iran’s nuclear program is absolutely peaceful, describing the protection of Iran’s technical and nuclear achievements as “a ust”.
A Trump administration official confirmed that the two sides agreed to meet again next week.
"Today, in Rome, over four hours in our second round of talks, we made very good progress in our direct and indirect discussions," the official said.
Trump told reporters on Friday: "I'm for stopping Iran, very simply, from having a nuclear weapon. They can't have a nuclear weapon. I want Iran to be great and prosperous and terrific."
A spokesperson for Oman’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that meetings in Rome between Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff, mediated by Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidy, resulted in an agreement by both parties to transition to the next phase of negotiations.
These talks aim to reach a fair, lasting, and binding agreement, ensuring Iran is to be completely free of nuclear weapons and the full lifting of sanctions, while preserving its right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
"I would like to thank Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Presidential Envoy Mr Steve Witkoff for their highly constructive approach to the talks today. These talks are gaining momentum and now even the unlikely is possible,"
(With inputs from agencies)
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