Oman Is One of the Main Candidates for Indirect Iran-U.S. Negotiations

TEHRAN (Defapress) - "Esmaeil Baghaei," the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in his first press conference of the new year, commented on the crimes of the Zionist regime in Gaza and the Ministry's efforts to stop these crimes, stating: "In this regard, the media has done a better job of informing than I could. We are facing a catastrophic situation. Human rights and the principles of the United Nations Charter have been subjected to all kinds of disrespect and violation over the past two years, and even aid workers have been attacked."

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson added: "15 aid workers were assaulted, which is just one example, and it has become clear to the global public opinion. The crimes in Rafah and the West Bank leave no doubt that they are carried out with U.S. support. We are witnessing a normalization of evil in the region."

He continued: "The leaders and criminal officials of 'Israel' should not be able to freely travel to Europe. Unfortunately, our region has faced a serious threat to peace and security over these two years, the consequences of which are not limited to our region alone, and we demand that the Security Council fulfill its duties properly."

Baghaei noted: "In the contact between Araqchi and Grossi, considering the developments of those days and the ongoing events, we expressed our concerns and considerations to the Director-General, outlined our expectations, and reminded him of the obligations the Agency has toward member states. A preliminary agreement for a visit was reached, consultations on the details and schedule of the trip are ongoing, and the final timing will be announced once confirmed."

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson added: "This engagement takes place within the framework of Iran’s natural cooperation with the Agency, which includes collaboration to resolve several remaining safeguards issues. We expect the Agency to fulfill its duties, given the continued threats by the U.S. and 'Israel' against Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities, as the Agency is obligated under Resolution 533 and other international legal norms to take a stance and condemn such threats. These issues will be discussed during Grossi’s visit."

Regarding indirect negotiations with the U.S., the response from the other side to Iran’s position, and Oman’s role in these talks, he stated: "The history of other parties’ involvement in advancing indirect negotiations is clear. In some cases, this role was played by the European Union’s foreign policy chief, and in recent years, and even before that, Oman has effectively fulfilled this role. Should such a process take shape, Oman would be one of the main candidates for it."

On the threats from the U.S. and the Zionist regime against Iran, he asserted: "Reuters news agency has a consistent pattern of fabricating news based on an imaginary 'informed official.' A country’s military readiness to defend its sovereignty is a natural matter. Iran’s forces, given the bitter experiences of the past and the courage and bravery they have previously demonstrated, maintain their capabilities. There’s no need to cite an 'informed official.' Regarding our neighbors, we believe their security and that of the region are inseparable from Iran’s national security. We have never been part of a coalition to harm our neighbors."

Baghaei further stated: "In the Islamic Republic of Iran, we seize every opportunity to draw our neighbors’ attention to the consequences of third-party provocations, and we believe fire has a contagious nature. We believe our neighbors are cautious not to let divisions damage their relations."

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson, addressing the outcomes of expert-level talks between Iran and three European countries, said: "The issue is as complex as the lifting of sanctions on one hand and our nuclear issue on the other. The Agency utilizes all necessary capacities to inspect and ensure the peaceful nature of our nuclear program, but on the other hand, bills have been imposed against Iran that require expert work. In this meeting, discussions were held on how to lift nuclear-related sanctions, acknowledging that the majority of sanctions are imposed by the U.S."

Regarding crimes against journalists in Gaza, he added: "The crimes in Gaza are indescribable by any standard. The reason the term 'genocide' is used for Gaza is that no other word fits. From the outset of this genocide, journalists have consistently been a fixed target of the Zionist regime, and the reason is obvious. This places a heavier responsibility on the media, politicians, and all those with a voice in the international community to ensure this stain of disgrace remains on the Zionist regime’s face. All parties involved in normalizing Israel’s crimes are accountable. We hope to one day witness justice being served."

In response to whether Iran-Europe talks are still ongoing, Baghaei noted: "We have been and continue to be in constant consultation with counterparts regarding the nuclear issue. The expert-level meeting a few days ago was part of this effort. Within the next day or two, we will have a trilateral meeting of Iran, Russia, and China in Moscow, which is an expert-level meeting. Our legal team is engaged, and soon we will also have a meeting at the deputy level with the new EU foreign policy officials."

When asked if Iran-U.S. negotiations have started, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said: "No, and this news is false."

Regarding Araqchi’s tweet and Steve Witkoff’s comment in response, he added: "One should ask the other side on what basis they wrote and then deleted the comment, though everyone can have their own analysis."

On negotiations with the U.S., Baghaei stated: "Iran’s letter to the U.S. has been responded to, and we are awaiting the U.S.’s decision on this matter. Iran’s proposal for indirect negotiations is generous and responsible, considering the history of this issue and trends over the past decade. For now, we are focused on the proposals; what happens in the future will be decided later."

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson, regarding the involvement of certain figures in negotiations with the U.S., remarked: "All such reports are media speculation. The Foreign Ministry is responsible for advancing negotiations as per the law, and occasional statements from domestic media or foreign sources are mere speculation without any basis."

Regarding changes to the nuclear doctrine and Ali Larijani’s statements, Baghaei added: "Iran’s stance on the nuclear issue is completely clear. The Foreign Minister explicitly stated in his latest tweet that Iran has never pursued nuclear weapons and will not, as this is part of our strategy based on the Leader’s fatwa."

On Iran-Turkey relations, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson noted: "We have and maintain good relations with Turkey as a Muslim neighboring country, and both nations are determined to preserve this relationship. Differences of opinion on regional issues must be managed. From the outset of the developments in Syria, we clearly warned that the only beneficiary would be the Zionist regime, which would exploit the power vacuum to repeat its crimes in Islamic countries."

Regarding the tone of Donald Trump’s letter, he stated: "It’s nothing beyond what you’ve heard from U.S. officials in the media. The letter contains a mix of threats and proposals, and we have said we’ve tailored our response accordingly and have not closed the door to diplomacy."

On the new government in Germany, Baghaei asserted: "We place great value on relations with European countries and remain committed to principles and relations with nations. At one point, due to the harsh policies of individuals in power in Germany, our relations with that country suffered damage, and our compatriots were harmed—a harm that continues. We hope the new German government will reconsider its policies."

Addressing the French Foreign Minister’s claim about activating the 'snapback mechanism' against Iran, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said: "The three European countries, along with the European Union, played a significant role from the start of the negotiations—a role that not only advanced the matter but also provided an opportunity for the EU to present itself as a credible actor, an opportunity the Islamic Republic of Iran granted these three countries."

He added: "This was the EU’s only achievement in resolving an international issue. After the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA, the three European countries failed to compensate for it. They would be better off not repeating that behavior, as it creates a kind of discredit for them."

On a deadline for reaching an agreement in Trump’s letter, Baghaei said: "As we’ve emphasized repeatedly, regarding this letter, we believe only the nuclear issue warrants indirect negotiations. This letter was not about other topics speculated in the media, and I won’t confirm that."

In response to a journalist’s question about a group of U.S. Congress members’ proposal titled 'Freeing Iraq from Iran' aimed at disrupting Iran-Iraq relations, he added: "The title of this proposal, which is still in its early stages, is very apt. 'Freeing Iraq from Iran'—I think for the proud and honorable people of Iraq, the mere use of this phrase is insulting. For a party with a history of occupying and killing millions of Iraqis to claim it’s freeing one Muslim neighbor from another is truly shameful. The use of this phrase is disgraceful."

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson elaborated: "Both Iran and Iraq are fully aware and understand that such proposals aim to sow discord and disrupt neighborly relations, serving a goal they’ve pursued for decades, fostering enmity between regional countries, which they will not succeed in."

In response to another journalist’s question about Masoud Pezeshkian’s trip to Baku and the appointment of Iran’s ambassador to Azerbaijan, he said: "The appointment of an ambassador is in progress, and I hope it will be finalized soon, and I’ll inform you. The president’s trip to Baku is on the agenda, and we are discussing the timing and details with our Azerbaijani counterparts."

In response to another question, Baghaei added: "No country is permitted to provide its territory or resources to another country to carry out disruptive actions against others. I think all countries in the region have clearly understood this."

On Netanyahu’s trip to the U.S., the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said: "We will respond with full force to any aggression or violation of our country’s soil."

Regarding the detention of an Iranian female citizen in France, he said: "One of our citizens has been detained for three or four weeks without any notification of the arrest or consular access being granted. We are seriously pursuing the matter through our embassy in Paris and the French embassy in Tehran in support of our nationals. Our consular colleagues have been following up in recent days, and we hope the French government will provide access to this Iranian citizen and clarify why she was detained."

In another part of his remarks, Baghaei stated: "The problem with the U.S. and some Western countries in their analysis of regional developments is that they refuse to accept today’s global realities—that occupation, suppression, and genocide are the root of these problems. You cannot subject a nation to eight decades of occupation, threats, and pressure. As long as you don’t acknowledge where the problem lies, you’ll fail to resolve it."

On the continued financial, political, and military support of Western and European countries for the Zionist regime and Netanyahu’s recent trip to Hungary, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said: "We are witnessing such double standards today, which raise many questions in the minds of international and regional public opinion. It has made it perfectly clear that this approach is not based on a genuine belief in human rights standards."

He added: "If crime and genocide are deplorable in one region and time, you must take a consistent stance when the same occurs elsewhere. These countries’ positions are utterly indefensible. If you’re unwilling to confront an act of lawlessness, you shouldn’t contribute to its continuation or normalization."

On dealing with students protesting the Zionist regime’s crimes, Baghaei said: "Suppressing students and granting permission to this regime’s officials to visit these countries amounts to appeasing the regime and complicity in its genocides."

Regarding measures to prevent non-expert statements during potential negotiations, he added: "One of the Foreign Ministry’s priorities has been coordinating to ensure unified positions."

On Iran’s scenarios in case of a potential U.S. attack, Baghaei noted: "We are prepared for any eventuality, and thankfully, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Iranian nation have, over five decades, sufficiently developed their defensive capabilities to stand with full confidence against any aggression or violation."

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson added: "They must know that if the threats against Iran materialize, they will undoubtedly face a clear, immediate, and comprehensive response from Iran."

On the sanctioning of several Iranian officials over their alleged involvement in the disappearance of Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent, he remarked: "Using every tool and pretext to advance their maximum pressure and sanctions policy—regarding an issue they claim happened 18 years ago, when their then-Secretary of State said this individual went missing somewhere in Southwest Asia with no connection to Iran—reviving this is mere projection."

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson continued: "The U.S. must answer to its own citizens about its nationals. But casually accusing another country is simply dodging the issue and oversimplifying it. Moreover, despite repeating these accusations over a decade, they’ve provided no evidence or documentation showing this individual entered Iran or that anything happened to him there. Sanctioning Iranian citizens on this basis is unjustified, illegal, and an arbitrary act that is entirely unacceptable."

On the Zionist regime’s attacks on Syria, Baghaei asserted: "The Zionist regime has always sought to turn neighboring countries into ones incapable of defense or active engagement. We saw that immediately after the developments in Syria, which led to a power vacuum, this regime used all its might to destroy Syria’s infrastructure, with the primary goal of dominating the region through such provocations."