Tehran [Iran]: The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, held a crucial meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during his visit to Tehran, underscoring the importance of cooperation to ensure the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program.
Important to meet with Foreign Minister @araghchi during my timely visit to Iran. Cooperation with @IAEAorg is indispensable to provide credible assurances about the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme at a time when diplomacy is urgently needed. pic.twitter.com/wlmsghttIK
— Rafael Mariano Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) April 16, 2025
Taking to social media platform X, Grossi posted:
“Important to meet with Foreign Minister @araghchi during my timely visit to Iran. Cooperation with @IAEAorg is indispensable to provide credible assurances about the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme at a time when diplomacy is urgently needed.”
The meeting comes at a pivotal time, as diplomatic engagement between Iran and Western powers intensifies, especially over nuclear issues. Only days earlier, US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff also met with FM Araghchi in a rare gesture of renewed engagement.
On Tuesday, US Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce addressed the recent developments in US-Iran talks, revealing that a significant meeting was hosted by the Omani Foreign Minister.
Referring to a statement from the White House, Bruce noted:
“As the White House statement described, ‘the discussions were very positive and constructive’, and, ‘the sides agreed to meet again next Saturday’.”
Bruce also quoted Witkoff, underscoring the Trump administration’s firm stance:
“Our goal remains clear. In the words of Ambassador Witkoff, ‘A deal with Iran will only be completed if it is a Trump deal. Any final arrangement must set a framework for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East — meaning that Iran must stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponisation programme. It is imperative for the world that we create a tough, [yet] fair deal that will endure, and that is what President Trump has asked me to do’.”
On the sensitive question of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Bruce emphasized:
“I would say that there is one goal here and that is that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. And that is, I think, a pretty easy thing to start with, and that is the one thing that we know that they’re working on. And I think we’ll have some success, considering who we’re addressing.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also confirmed that President Trump had spoken with the Sultan of Oman, thanking him for hosting the first direct dialogue between the US and Iran. Leavitt reiterated the administration’s uncompromising stance:
“The US stands firm on ensuring that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons.”
The US and Iran recently concluded indirect negotiations in Muscat, Oman, facilitated by the Omani government. The talks aimed to tackle core issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear activities and its role in regional geopolitics.
Officials from both sides described the discussions as being conducted in a “constructive atmosphere and based on mutual respect,” offering a glimmer of hope for continued diplomatic progress in the region.