FM Araghchi Says Iran to Decide How to Proceed

Rome Hosts Second Round of Indirect Iran-U.S. Talks

Date: 18 April 2025 - 23:13

News ID: ۱۳۸۵۹۸

TEHRAN -- Foreign Minister
Abbas Araghchi said Friday Iran will decide how to proceed after the second stage of indirect talks with the U.S. in Rome on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters in Moscow, Araghchi reiterated Iran’s “seriousness” in indirect talks which commenced in Muscat last Saturday.
Asked about contradictory statements by U.S. officials since the first round of talks, Araghchi said, “In these talks, our stance is clear and we have expressed it clearly to the other side.
“Our remarks haven’t changed and will not change; and we don’t speak in different ways every day. We expect the other parties to be present in the talks with seriousness and stability of opinion and firmness in their steps,” he said.
“On Saturday, we will participate seriously in the indirect talks, and based on the approach of the other party, we will assess and judge how we should continue on this path,” he added.
Araghchi said Rome is just the venue of the talks and Oman remains the host for the indirect talks between Iran and the U.S.
“The responsibility for mediation, facilitation, and establishing indirect communication continues to lie with the Foreign Minister of Oman and the government of that country,” Araghchi said.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Iran’s top diplomat noted that several countries, including China and Russia, have expressed their readiness to contribute to facilitating the talks.
“Our friends, such as Russia and China, that have previously played a role in the nuclear talks, can have a role and provide assistance” in the new negotiations, he added.
Araghchi and Steve Witkoff, the U.S. president’s special envoy for Middle East affairs, led the first round of indirect talks in the Omani capital of Muscat on Saturday. Both sides described the talks as positive and constructive.
On Tuesday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the indirect talks between Iran and the U.S. in the Omani capital have been “implemented well in their initial steps,” but added that the Islamic Republic is “very skeptical” of the other side.