Reformist figure urges direct US talks, reopening of embassies
An Iranian reformist called for Iran and the US to restore diplomatic ties and open embassies in each other’s capitals, saying direct negotiations should begin at the foreign ministry level.
“If progress is made, talks should move to senior leadership and embassies should reopen,” Mohsen Rahami told Khabar Online website on Saturday.
The former MP said 98 percent of Iranians would support such engagement if a referendum were held. He criticized reliance on “third-tier mediation” and dismissed hardline opposition as noise that should not dictate policy.
Iranian students storming US embassy in Tehran in 1979
An Iranian parliamentarian warned the United States on Sunday that Tehran's response to even the slightest mistake during ongoing nuclear negotiations would be crushing.
Abbas Goudarzi, the spokesperson for the Iranian parliament's presiding board, said that if the US attempts to engage from a position of force and threat, “it would certainly bring more harm to its own interests."
Goodarzi said that "today, the Islamic Republic is capable of targeting any point of America's interests as its legitimate target."
Nuclear negotiations will be stopped if the United States introduces non-nuclear topics such as Iran’s missile program, said Esmail Kowsari, a member of parliament’s National Security Committee, in reference to the Oman talks.
“If in the negotiations, America tries to bring in issues beyond the nuclear file, like defense and missiles, the talks will definitely be halted,” he said.
Esmail Kowsari, a member of parliament’s National Security Committee
described the first round of Iran-US talks as “constructive and professional,” writing on X that diplomacy is being pursued to lift sanctions and reduce pressure on people’s lives.
“Whether through negotiations or without them, our responsibility is to work toward solving the people’s problems,” she said.
Opponents of renewed nuclear diplomacy are undermining Iran’s ability to extract concessions, a prominent Iranian outlet warned, saying that continued internal resistance could sap the foreign minister’s leverage at the negotiation table with the US.
“In this context, the fact that some persist in opposition and obstruction—even knowing that the decision to negotiate has been made by the entire national decision-making structure—is not easy to understand,” Ettela’at daily wrote.
The front page of Ettela’at daily on Sunday, April 13, 2025
“Trump’s retreat from the threatening language of recent weeks and his shift toward rhetoric of imposition and coercion can be seen as a positive development,” the paper said, adding: “Iran’s approach of responding with sanctions pressure and refusing any kind of negotiation—even indirect—was also a positive development.”
Iranian delegation headed by FM Abbas Araghchi in Muscat on April 13, 2025.
The initial indirect nuclear discussions between Iran and the United States in Muscat established a tone of equality between the two parties, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
“In my view, for a first session, it was a constructive meeting,” Araghchi said in remarks published by Iranian media after the talks.
“It was conducted in a calm and very respectful environment. No inappropriate language was used, and both parties demonstrated their intent to pursue these negotiations toward an agreement from an equal footing.”
Araghchi confirmed that Busaidi moved between the Iranian and American delegations four times to relay messages.
The Iranian official said that Tehran is not interested in drawn-out or symbolic dialogue. “We and the other side both believe in avoiding time-wasting negotiations. The US also indicated that it seeks a fair and timely agreement,” he added.
A second session is expected to be held next Saturday. Araghchi said while Oman will continue to host the process, the physical location may change.
The White House also described the exchange as a rare moment of diplomacy amid longstanding tensions.
US and Iranian officials held “very positive and constructive” talks in Muscat on Saturday, the White House said in a statement.
Special Presidential Envoy Steven Witkoff, accompanied by Ambassador Ana Escrogima, met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in talks hosted by Oman’s foreign minister.
“Special Envoy Witkoff underscored to Dr. Araghchi that he had instructions from President Trump to resolve our two nations’ differences through dialogue and diplomacy, if that is possible. These issues are very complicated, and Special Envoy Witkoff’s direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome,” added the statement.
