Iran says talks with US will be indirect, contradicting Trump

A top Iranian official on Wednesday insisted that talks with the U.S. this weekend will take place through an intermediary, contradicting President Trump’s statements that American and Iranian officials will meet face-to-face to discuss Tehran’s nuclear program.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi emphasized talks with the U.S. will be “indirect” in an opinion article for the Washington Post. 

“Iran is ready to engage in earnest and with a view to seal a deal. We will meet in Oman on Saturday for indirect negotiations,” Araghchi wrote, using italics to underline his point.

“It is as much an opportunity as it is a test,” the foreign minister continued, and said that indirect talks are “a strategic choice,” not as a tactic or reflection of ideology. 

“We face a significant wall of mistrust and harbor serious doubts about the sincerity of intentions, made worse by U.S. insistence on resuming the ;maximum pressure’ policy prior to any diplomatic interaction,” Araghchi wrote. 

Trump on Monday said the U.S. and Iran would hold “direct” talks with Iran on Saturday. Administration officials backed up the president’s statements despite pushback from Iranian officials that the talks would be conducted through a mediator. 

“I won't get ahead of the president, he has said there will be direct talks with Iran on Saturday,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday. “I won't further any details from this podium for obvious reasons, security reasons.” 

State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce dismissed Tehran’s assertion that talks are indirect. 

“That’s nice for the Iranians. I would refer back to the president of the United States, President Donald John Trump.” 

Trump is sending Steve Witkoff, his special envoy for the Middle East and point person on talks with Russia, to Oman to talk with the Iranians. The president referred to Witkoff a “very high level” contact.