Iran awaits US response on indirect talks, signals Oman could mediate

US President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One as he arrives at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, April 6, 2025.
US President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One as he arrives at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, April 6, 2025.

Iran is waiting for a decision from the United States on whether to engage in indirect negotiations, foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Monday.

“We have conveyed our position to the US and are now awaiting their response on entering talks,” Baghaei said.

While US President Donald Trump has recently pushed for direct diplomacy with Tehran, Baghaei said that indirect talks remain Iran’s preferred path for now—but left the door open to future adjustments.

“Decisions will be made in line with conditions and at the appropriate time.”

He confirmed that technical discussions had already taken place covering both nuclear cooperation and sanctions relief.

“There have been exchanges and consultations on various aspects of the matter, including some technical details,” Baghaei said.

Confirming speculation, he finally said Iran will be looking to Oman as a mediator. “Should a new process begin, Oman would be one of the main candidates for this important task,” he added, Oman one of the mediators which helped Iran resume diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia in 2023.

Baghaei also said the country had given approval for a visit by International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi, who earlier said he hopes to travel to Tehran by late April, showing the country's readiness to cooperate with international nuclear oversight.

Iran has always said its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Amid threats from the US to push Tehran into a new nuclear deal or risk being bombed, he added that Iran’s military remains vigilant.

“Our armed forces maintain and upgrade their readiness moment by moment to face any potential scenario,” Baghaei said.

In response to Trump's latest threats, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said that the Islamic Republic would deal a "strong blow" in retaliation for any attack.

Iran has also threatened to target American interests in the region, including the strategic US naval base, Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, if attacked.