UN chief 'welcomes' continuation of Omani-mediated Iran-US indirect nuclear talks

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday welcomed the continuation of indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the US.

"The Secretary-General welcomes a continuation of the indirect talks mediated by Oman between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America," Guterres' spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said during a news conference.

Noting that Guterres "calls on the parties to continue to work with determination and in good faith towards a lasting agreement," Dujarric said that the UN chief "emphasizes that full and comprehensive IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) verification is essential for any successful resolution of the Iran nuclear issue."

Talks between Tehran and Washington resumed on Thursday in Geneva at a building affiliated with the Omani Embassy.

The second round of negotiations took place on Feb. 18, after Oman hosted the first round on Feb. 6. Earlier, the talks had stalled following Israeli and US attacks on Iran in June 2025.

The US has demanded that Iran halt all uranium enrichment activities, transfer enriched uranium abroad, and abandon its ballistic missile program. Washington has also warned it could use military force.

In recent weeks, Washington, with encouragement from Israel, has reinforced its military presence in the Middle East and signaled the possibility of military action to compel Iran to abandon its nuclear and missile programs and its regional allies.

Iran maintains that the US and Israel fabricate pretexts to interfere in its affairs and pursue regime change. Tehran has vowed to respond to any military attack, even a limited one, while insisting on the lifting of Western economic sanctions in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program.