Iran confirms indirect talks with the USA
Published: Sunday, May 19th 2024, 16:20
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Iran has confirmed reports of indirect talks with its political arch-enemy, the USA. Iranian media quoted Iran's UN ambassador in New York Saeid Irawani as saying that the talks were not the first and would be the last. "We had indirect negotiations in Oman."
The news portal "Axios" had previously reported on indirect contacts between two US diplomats and representatives of the Iranian government in Oman this week. According to the report, they were intended to reduce tensions in the Middle East. According to the report, Iran's major attack on Israel last month was on the agenda.
Switzerland represents the interests of the USA in Iran, and the two countries have not had diplomatic relations for more than 44 years.
Indirect talks between the two countries have taken place several times since Ibrahim Raisi's presidency in 2021, particularly during the negotiations on reviving the 2015 Vienna nuclear deal. However, Raisi and the Foreign Ministry have always emphasized that the talks should not be conducted directly. In addition, the primary focus should be on the resumption of nuclear negotiations and the associated lifting of sanctions against Iran - and not on other topics.
The resumption of nuclear negotiations is hugely important for Iran's economy. Following the Vienna nuclear deal in 2015 and the lifting of sanctions, the ailing Iranian economy experienced a short-term upturn. Oil exports in particular, the country's main source of income, returned to relative normality. However, since the US withdrew from the deal in 2018 under former President Donald Trump and the imposition of new sanctions, the oil-rich country has been mired in the worst financial crisis in its history.
©Keystone/SDA
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