Iranian Foreign Minister Tours Oman, Russia for Nuclear Talks Mediation

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi embarked on a tour of Pakistan, Oman, and Russia to seek mediation for the resumption of nuclear talks. U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that future U.S.-Iran negotiations would proceed via telephone. Iran is reported to have conveyed a proposal to the U.S. to declare an end to hostilities first and then continue nuclear negotiations at a later date. Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister, began his tour of Pakistan, Oman, and Russia on the 24th. He visited Oman on the 26th to meet with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said and arrived in St. Petersburg, Russia on the 27th, where he was welcomed by local government officials. This visit to Russia was aimed at Iran continuing discussions related to nuclear negotiations and seeking a diplomatic solution.

Iran is understood to have proposed to the U.S. a phased approach to nuclear issue discussions after prioritizing the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and declaring an end to hostilities. During his tour, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi informed mediating countries like Pakistan and Oman that there is no consensus within the Iranian leadership regarding the processing of U.S. demands for enriched uranium.

As differences between the United States and Iran remain unresolved, concerns have been raised about the potential for prolonged tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan, acting as a mediator, lifted the blockade around the negotiation site, which had been in place for over a week, seemingly based on the assessment that a second round of talks could not be expected in the near future. Iran's statement that it does not want face-to-face meetings until the gap in positions narrows could be interpreted as Iran's judgment that the negotiations hold little substantial value, it was reported.

Iran is currently understood to have secured storage space for 30 million barrels of crude oil, giving it several weeks before reaching storage capacity limits. Furthermore, despite U.S. counter-sanctions, there have been indications of some Iranian crude oil being exported beyond the blockade lines. These developments suggest Iran's confidence in its ability to withstand U.S. pressure in the short term.