Iran’s Foreign Ministry said that the second round of US-Iran talks will be held in Oman on 19 April.
Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency on 14 April quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei as saying that it had been decided that Muscat would continue the talks.
The comment contradicted a statement by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who said the talks would take place in Rome. Tajani said Italy had received a request from interested parties and announced that Rome would be the venue for the meeting.
Tehran also confirmed on 14 April that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will visit Moscow before the next round of talks.
In addition, the Iranian side announced that IAEA chief Rafael Grossi will arrive in Iran on 16 April.
US Middle East Representative Steve Whitkoff told Fox News in an interview on April 14 that any diplomatic agreement reached with Iran would focus on details related to verifying the country’s uranium enrichment and weapons programmes.
Tehran and Washington held the first round of nuclear talks over the weekend in Oman, after which both sides said the talks were “positive” and “constructive”.
US President Donald Trump has said he wants to ensure Iran never gets a nuclear weapon. Iran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful and wants an agreement that will lead to the lifting of sanctions that are hurting its economy.
Trump has said that in the absence of an agreement, military strikes would be launched against Iranian nuclear facilities, potentially involving Israel. Tehran has rejected the threats, calling them” an affront ” to peace and security.
It is estimated that Iran can enrich enough uranium for one bomb in less than a week and enough for several bombs within a month.