Araqchi Heads to Muscat for Nuclear Talks with the United States
Iranian Foreign Ministry Stresses Strength, Sovereignty, and Historical Awareness as Negotiations Resume
Iran | PUREWILAYAH.COM - Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araqchi has departed for Muscat at the head of a diplomatic delegation to conduct nuclear negotiations with the United States, according to an official announcement by the Foreign Ministry.
In a statement published Thursday night on the X platform, Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that Araqchi is traveling to the Omani capital to engage in talks aimed at addressing the nuclear issue.
Iran: Diplomacy from a Position of Strength
Baghaei emphasized that Iran’s participation in the negotiations is being carried out “with authority,” and with the objective of reaching a just, mutually acceptable, and dignified understanding on the nuclear file.
He underlined that Iran enters the talks with full awareness of Washington’s record, stating that past bitter experiences—including previous U.S. violations of commitments, the June military aggression, and foreign interventions during unrest in Dey—remain firmly in view.
“Despite these experiences,” Baghaei noted, “we remain duty-bound to defend the rights of the Iranian nation and to demand them without compromise.”
No Abandonment of Diplomacy, No Illusions About Washington
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson added that Iran nevertheless considers it a responsibility not to forfeit any opportunity to utilize diplomacy in order to safeguard national interests and preserve peace and stability in the region.
Baghaei also expressed appreciation for the role played by neighboring and regional countries that, he said, acted responsibly and constructively in facilitating the diplomatic process. He voiced hope that the American side would approach the talks with realism, seriousness, and a sense of responsibility—qualities Iran has repeatedly found lacking in past U.S. conduct.
Symbolism in the Skies: The Tabas Allusion
In a move that drew attention, flight-tracking data showed that the aircraft carrying Iran’s foreign minister was listed as originating from the Tabas Desert en route to Muscat.
Tabas holds deep historical significance in Iran–U.S. relations. It was the site of the failed 1980 U.S. military operation known as Eagle Claw, in which American Delta Force units were defeated by a sandstorm, resulting in the collapse of the mission, the deaths of eight U.S. servicemen, and the destruction of American military equipment.
The symbolic reference did not go unnoticed, reinforcing Iran’s message that its diplomacy is conducted with a clear memory of history—and without amnesia regarding past U.S. failures, interventions, and aggressions. (PW)