On Wednesday, the leading Iranian diplomat engaged in “constructive” discussions with the Foreign Minister of Oman in Muscat. This meeting took place following Tehran’s recent talks in Doha with Qatari and European Union officials regarding its nuclear program.
Iran’s top diplomat arrived in Kuwait Wednesday, the third leg of a Gulf tour that saw him hold “constructive” talks with his Omani counterpart in Muscat earlier in the day.
It came a day after Tehran held discussions in Doha on its nuclear program with Qatari and European Union officials, the latest in a flurry of diplomatic moves by the Islamic republic as it seeks to reduce its isolation, improve its economy and project strength.
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian’s tour of the Gulf will see the Iranian foreign minister also making a stop in the United Arab Emirates.
Gulf countries are seeking to ease tensions with Iran fuelled in recent years by the conflicts in Yemen and Syria. Most dramatically, China brokered an agreement in March between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties after a years-long rupture.
Earlier on Wednesday, he met with Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi of Oman, mediator in indirect talks between Iran and its sworn enemy the United States over its suspect nuclear program and a possible prisoner swap.
Iran said last week it had been engaged in indirect negotiations with the United States through Oman, with nuclear issues, US sanctions and detainees on the agenda.
In recent weeks, Iran and the United States have denied media reports that they were close to reaching an interim deal to replace the 2015 accord.
Amir-Abdollahian also discussed “developments in the nuclear agreement” with his Qatari counterpart, according to the official Qatar News Agency.
Khalil Wakim, with AFP
