Direct US-Iran talks possible if initial engagements positive - Axios

Iran said Saturday that the current round of indirect talks with the United States in Oman will not be lengthy, emphasizing its commitment to a focused diplomatic process on nuclear and sanctions issues.

“This is a starting point, and at this stage, both sides are presenting their foundational positions through the Omani mediator,” foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told Iranian media. “So, we do not expect this round of talks to be long.”

Baghaei also pushed back against recent reporting, particularly from Reuters, which cited an Omani source saying the talks aimed to reduce regional tensions and facilitate prisoner swaps.

“These claims are completely baseless,” Baghaei said. “Reuters has a long history of fabricating and publishing misleading reports. The references to Omani officials are inaccurate. Oman has always acted professionally in its mediation efforts.”

“Our objective is clear: we have only one goal, and that is to secure Iran’s national interests,” he added. “We are giving diplomacy a real and sincere opportunity to move forward.”

A member of Iranian parliament said that the United States must negotiate with the Islamic Republic, adding that he is optimistic about nuclear talks on Saturday.

"The US has a need to negotiate with the Islamic Republic because, in reality, nuclear knowledge cannot be bombed," said Bahnam Rezvani, a member of the Iranian parliament's Industry and Mining Committee.

"Our nuclear issue is not military, and the US knows this very well. That is why I am optimistic about the negotiations."

Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said any future deal with Iran must ensure the complete elimination of its nuclear program, ballistic missile capabilities, and support for its allied groups in the region.

"Any deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran must not only verifiably eliminate every element of its nuclear program, but must also crush its ballistic missile capability and its support of terror proxies around the world," Pompeo wrote on X.

He criticized the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which President Donald Trump abandoned in 2018, saying it failed to address these critical security concerns. "No reason to be weaker than the Obama-Kerry capitulation to the cheating terrorist Supreme Leader," Pompeo added.

Iran favors negotiations that are “precise and calm,” its government spokesperson said, emphasizing Tehran’s preference for a structured, behind-the-scenes approach to diplomacy.

“The preferred negotiation for Iran is detailed and without fanfare. Every message should be written, clear, and free of theatrics,” Fatemeh Mohajerani wrote on X.

She added that Iran sets its own terms for talks — a sign, she said, of “diplomatic rationality” that also helps prevent opponents from spreading misinformation.

Talks between Iran and the United States aim to reduce regional tensions, facilitate prisoner exchanges, and explore limited agreements to ease sanctions in exchange for curbs on Iran’s nuclear program, an Omani source told Reuters.