Khamenei greenlit talks to expose US unreliability, lawmaker says

Talks with the United States remain confined to the nuclear file and lifting of sanctions, Iran’s foreign ministry said on Sunday.

“The correspondence that initiated the Muscat channel included nothing but the nuclear issue,” spokesman Esmail Baghaei said.

“We are committed to discussions only on the nuclear file and lifting sanctions.”

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson also dismissed as a rumor the possibility of indirect talks becoming direct if negotiations progress

Baghaei added that Iran’s position is based on directives from the country’s top authorities.

Iran is demanding tangible guarantees from the United States in ongoing nuclear negotiations, Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh told Turkey’s CNN Türk during a visit to Antalya.

“If the other side enters the talks with a genuine agreement in mind, there is a chance to reach a deal,” Khatibzadeh said.

He warned Washington against military threats, adding, “The US must not start a war. We are not swayed by threats.”

Khatibzadeh also addressed Israel, saying, “Netanyahu is a criminal. Israel’s policy is to provoke war between Iran and the United States.”

Russia’s representative to international organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, described the outcome of Saturday’s US-Iran nuclear talks as encouraging.

“On the outcomes of today’s meeting in Oman, both the Iranians and the Americans described the negotiations as positive and constructive. This is reassuring,” Ulyanov wrote on Telegram.

An Iranian lawmaker called on the government's negotiating team on Sunday to ensure the country's interests regarding nuclear energy, missile capabilities, and the so-called axis of resistance are protected in any discussions.

Mohammadreza Ahmadi Sangari said, "I ask the negotiating team to definitely consider the interests of the Islamic Republic in the issues of nuclear energy, missiles, and the axis of resistance, while observing the principles and foundations of the Islamic Revolution."

The next meeting between Iran and the United States is expected to take place in Europe next week, CNN reported, citing White House sources involved in the talks.

The network said the Trump administration aims to accelerate the process, with US envoy Steven Witkoff seeking a political decision to advance a deal without becoming entangled in technical complexities.

Amwaj Media, a media outlet with links to the Islamic Republic close circles, also cited what it called an informed political source in the region as saying that“They will not gather in Muscat, but somewhere in Europe.”