Trump is playing football while Iran is playing chess, ex-FM says

The Qatari government on Saturday welcomed the talks held between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran in Muscat, mediated by the Sultanate of Oman, according to a statement by the Qatari foreign ministry.

"It also praised the positive spirit that prevailed during the talks, as well as the statements made by both parties, in addition to the constructive role played by Oman in this context."

The Foreign Ministry affirmed Doha's "full support for the approach of diplomacy and dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues between the US and Iran, in line with its firm belief in the importance of promoting security, peace, and enhancing stability and development at both the regional and international levels."

The Secretary-General of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) hailed Iran-US negotiations in Oman as a positive step toward strengthening regional stability.

Jasem Albudaiwi expressed hope that the talks would lead to constructive outcomes and open new horizons for bilateral cooperation, as well as for enhancing security and peace in the region.

Saudi Arabia welcomes the talks held between Iran and the United States in Oman, the Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement.

"We hope that the results of the dialogue between Iran and America will lead to supporting security and stability," the statement said.

"We support the approach of dialogue as a way to end regional and international disputes."

It also welcomed Oman's mediation and hosting of talks between Tehran and Washington over the Islamic Republic's disputed nuclear program.

“Trump wanted his State Secretary Marco Rubio to take part in the negotiations, but we insisted on Witkoff, and the US backed down," said Mahmoud Nabavian, deputy head of the Iranian Parliament's Foreign Policy Committee.

“In every aspect of the negotiations, whatever we said was accepted, and the American side gave ground," he told the Student News Network (SNN).

“Trump isn’t entirely crazy—he calculates. He’s brought in warships and aircraft to influence Iranian public opinion."

Tehran’s talk of welcoming US investment is likely a tactic to influence President Donald Trump psychologically rather than a genuine policy shift according to Sara Bazoobandi, an associate at the German Institute for Global and Area Studies.

"This rhetoric ties into the narrative the Islamic Republic has crafted based on a kind of psychological profile of Mr. Trump,” she told Iran International.

"They think that just as the US has used a carrot-and-stick approach to try to bring the Islamic Republic to the table, they too can stir Trump’s emotions for negotiation," she added.