Cairo, February 8: Iran’s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, expressed optimism about the upcoming round of negotiations with the United States. He described the recent meeting as a positive start but cautioned that rebuilding trust will take time.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Zarif clarified that Tehran will not abandon its uranium enrichment program, which he termed an inalienable right. This interview was conducted on Saturday and later shared in Persian on his Telegram channel.
According to the Xinhua news agency, Zarif stated that Iran is prepared for an agreement that assures the international community while safeguarding its enrichment activities. He also opposed transferring uranium abroad, asserting that the nuclear dispute can only be resolved through dialogue. During the interview, he rejected the U.S. demand for Iran to halt its missile program, labeling missiles as a defensive matter that is not open for negotiation.
He noted, “Although the discussions were indirect, I had the opportunity to shake hands with the U.S. delegation.” Zarif dismissed reports claiming that direct talks occurred during discussions in Muscat.
Following his talks with U.S. special envoy Steve Biegun, Zarif traveled to Doha, where he met with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
Iran’s Chief of Staff, Abdolrahim Mousavi, adopted a more confrontational tone, warning that any attempt to impose war on Iran would escalate conflict throughout the Middle East. He emphasized that while Iran will not initiate war, it will respond firmly to defend its sovereignty.
Earlier, while traveling to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, President Trump described the Oman talks as very positive, suggesting that Iran appears eager to reach an agreement with the U.S. Both parties are expected to meet again early next week.
Additionally, President Trump announced a 25% extra tariff on countries trading with Iran. He signed an executive order on Friday threatening additional tariffs on nations that continue to engage in trade with Iran.
The U.S. government stated that this measure could apply to all imports into the U.S. from countries that directly or indirectly purchase goods or services from Iran.
The discussions in Muscat highlighted a new diplomatic effort amid rising regional tensions. In recent weeks, the U.S. has increased its military presence in the Middle East, while Iran has ramped up its preparations, raising concerns about potential conflicts among regional governments.
Israel is closely monitoring the negotiations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that he would travel to Washington for talks with Trump later this week. The statement indicated that Netanyahu believes any agreement must include limits on Iran’s ballistic missile program and an end to its support for militant groups.
Earlier this week, before the Muscat meeting, Trump’s special envoy Biegun consulted with Israeli officials. During this meeting, Netanyahu stated that Iran has repeatedly demonstrated that it cannot be trusted to uphold its commitments.
Egypt and the UAE welcomed the talks as a constructive step toward dialogue and de-escalation. Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, praised Oman’s role in hosting the discussions and reaffirmed Cairo’s support for resolving the nuclear issue through negotiation. The UAE’s Foreign Ministry noted that Oman’s mediation has helped create favorable conditions for dialogue, expressing hope for outcomes that enhance regional security.
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud also welcomed the discussions, expressing hope that they would open a diplomatic path to reduce tensions and promote stability in the region. He stated during a press conference, “This area is burdened by multiple crises, and a diplomatic solution between the U.S. and Iran is essential for achieving peace and stability.”
According to a statement from Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, the Foreign Minister expressed hope during his meeting with Zarif in Doha that the talks would lead to a significant agreement that strengthens stability and security across the region.
