Iran already ‘victorious’ whether talks fail or continue – FM adviser

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein has welcomed the Iran–US talks in Oman, expressing hope that the negotiations will contribute to regional stability, the Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported Saturday.

The comments came during a meeting with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh on Friday in Antalya, Turkey, on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum.

According to a statement from Iraq’s Foreign Ministry, “Fuad Hussein welcomed the talks scheduled to be held Saturday in the Sultanate of Oman between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, expressing his hope that these negotiations will yield positive results that contribute to achieving stability in the region.”

The next court session is scheduled for Friday, May 16.

Nandito Badea, 20, and George Stana, 24, appeared via video link and used a translator to address the court. Both are being held in Belmarsh, a high-security prison in southeast London.

The pair were arrested in Romania in connection with the stabbing of Zeraati and extradited to the United Kingdom under an existing agreement between the two countries.

An indictment was issued against them following a review of evidence from the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command. The charges include causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Zeraati was attacked on March 29 outside his residence in Wimbledon, south London, and sustained injuries to his leg. He was discharged from hospital two days later. The motive for the attack remains undetermined, but the case is being handled by counterterrorism investigators given previous threats to journalists at Iran International.

In October, The Wall Street Journal reported that the Iranian government uses criminal groups to target individuals in Western countries.

The Iranian government has denied any involvement in the attack.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that Iran is aiming for a balanced outcome in its indirect talks with the United States.

“Our intention is to reach a fair and dignified agreement from an equal footing,” Araghchi told reporters in Muscat.

He added that progress depends on the approach of the US delegation, which is being led by President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.

“If the other side has entered with the same mindset, there is a chance for an initial understanding that could lead to a negotiation path,” Araghchi said.

The foreign minister also said the parties could agree on the structure of talks if there is enough political will. “If there is sufficient will, we can decide on a timeline for negotiations,” Araghchi noted.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with his Omani counterpart Badr al-Busaidi in Muscat on Saturday, before the start of talks with the United States, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said.

Araghchi, who is leading Iran’s delegation, praised Oman’s regional role and thanked it for hosting the talks. “Hosting the indirect Iran-US talks is a sign of [Oman’s] responsible approach to regional issues,” he said, according to the Iran's Foreign Ministry statement.

The ministry said Araghchi shared Tehran’s negotiating positions with al-Busaidi, who is expected to relay them to the American side. Al-Busaidi, for his part, described the Iran-Oman relationship as “excellent” and thanked Iran for choosing Muscat as the venue.

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In the final moments before negotiations with the United States begin in Oman, Iranian hardline media is urging Tehran to stand firm against Donald Trump, push for the full lifting of sanctions, and highlight divisions within the White House.

Full details here.

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