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World / Gulf

Iran president in Oman as nuclear talks progress

Published: 27 May 2025 - 05:06 pm | Last Updated: 27 May 2025 - 05:09 pm
This handout picture provided by the Iranian presidential office shows Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian (front C) being received by Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said (front R) during a welcome ceremony at the airport in Muscat on May 27, 2025. (Photo by Iranian Presidency / AFP)

This handout picture provided by the Iranian presidential office shows Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian (front C) being received by Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said (front R) during a welcome ceremony at the airport in Muscat on May 27, 2025. (Photo by Iranian Presidency / AFP)

AFP

Muscat, Oman: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday began a two-day visit to Oman, which is mediating ongoing nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington.

Pezeshkian travelled Muscat looking to promote "peace and stability", he said, two days after US President Donald Trump described the latest negotiations as "very, very good".

"We hope to engage in dialogue to reach a shared perspective and a common voice on promoting peace and stability in the region," Pezeshkian said in a televised speech before departure.

Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei confirmed on Monday that the visit would address the ongoing nuclear talks.

Oman, Iran's neighbour across a narrow strip of sea, has since April facilitated five rounds of talks between Tehran and Washington, which do not have diplomatic relations.

Although the latest meetings in Rome on Friday ended without tangible progress, they were warmly received by Trump.

"I think we could have some good news on the Iran front," the US president said, adding that an announcement could come "over the next two days".

The US is seeking to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons -- which Tehran denies seeking -- as the Iranians seek relief from crippling sanctions.

The talks are the highest-level contact between the countries since the US quit a previous nuclear accord during Trump's first term.

Ahead of Pezeshkian's visit, Iran's central bank governor Mohammadreza Farzin arrived in Oman on Monday to discuss "monetary and banking cooperation" and commercial exchanges, according to Iranian media.