Washington, DC – Axios, citing informed sources, reported that advisors to US President Donald Trump held a rare, direct meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Oman.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of a round of talks hosted by Muscat, in a move described
as a significant development in diplomatic communications between Washington and Tehran.
The report stated that the meeting brought together US Special Envoy Steve Wittkopf
and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, with Abbas Araqchi.
The details of the talks, which were not publicly disclosed, were held under Omani auspices.
Tense regional atmosphere
These talks took place amidst a tense regional atmosphere
and sensitive negotiations concerning the Iranian nuclear program.
According to Axios, this round of talks departed from the usual pattern of communication between the two sides.
In the past, communication has typically been conducted through intermediaries.
Oman played a pivotal role in facilitating the dialogue.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi led the coordination efforts
and arranged the meetings between the two delegations.
resumption of negotiations
The Axios report indicated that the talks did not yield a tangible breakthrough.
However, both sides agreed to continue the dialogue and resume negotiations in the coming days, in an effort to advance the diplomatic process and avoid further escalation.
The US delegation included, in addition to Wittkopf and Kushner, US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper.
The Iranian delegation was headed by Abbas Araqchi, and included several of his senior aides and deputies.
This direct meeting comes at a highly sensitive time. It comes amid ongoing regional tensions and increasing diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating disputes,
particularly those related to Tehran’s nuclear program and the strained relations
between Iran and the United States, with the international community awaiting the outcome of the upcoming rounds of dialogue.
