Araqchi maintained diplomatic courtesy with Witkoff to the extent of a simple greeting
Abbas Araqchi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, reported a brief and diplomatically courteous encounter with the American delegation after indirect talks with the U.S. in Muscat.
Mr. Araqchi said after a two and a half hour negotiation that we ran into Steve Witkoff, the U.S. representative, while leaving the negotiation venue.
We had a simple conversation for a few minutes, merely exchanging greetings.
He added that this is a normal practice in diplomacy, and we have always observed diplomatic courtesy.
According to a statement from the Foreign Ministry, the parties agreed to continue talks next week, focusing on nuclear issues and reducing bilateral tensions.
Mr. Araqchi had previously emphasized Iran’s commitment to indirect talks.
The Muscat talks were part of the ongoing diplomatic efforts by Iran and the U.S. to manage tensions, especially following the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018.
Oman had previously hosted secret negotiations between the two countries in 2011-2013, which paved the way for the 2015 nuclear agreement.
This meeting is considered the first official contact under the new U.S. administration.