Iran’s government has reiterated that the continued presence of U.S. military forces in the Middle East will not derail ongoing diplomatic talks with Washington, as Tehran navigates a tense period of nuclear negotiations and regional security pressures. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi underlined Tehran’s stance that military deployments — including a significant U.S. naval presence near Iranian waters — do not intimidate or alter Iran’s negotiating position, amid indirect talks aimed at resolving longstanding disputes over its nuclear programme.
The statement came as indirect nuclear discussions between Iranian and U.S. delegations took place in Muscat, Oman, where both sides described the talks as a constructive “step forward,” with plans to reconvene if mutual seriousness towards an agreement is evident. While Iranian officials emphasised that uranium enrichment remains a sovereign right and dismissed linking negotiations to military issues, they also insisted that dialogue could continue without succumbing to what Tehran frames as external pressure.
Araghchi stressed that sanctions and continued U.S. military maneuvers raise questions about Washington’s sincerity, though Tehran remains open to dialogue that respects Iran’s interests and rights. The Iranian president echoed this view, stating that Iranians “respond to respect with respect” but will not accept forceful tactics.
News as reported.
