Bagheri Kani Claims: 'Indirect and Confidential' Negotiations Between Iran and the U.S. Are Ongoing

Ali Bagheri Kani, the head of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, claims that 'indirect and confidential' negotiations between the Iranian government and the U.S. are underway through Oman. This comes despite the White House previously stating that it is not prepared to return to the negotiating table even with a change in the Iranian presidency. On Wednesday, July 20, in an interview with Iranian state television, Mr. Bagheri Kani referred to the negotiation process over the past three years and the reasons for its failures from the Islamic Republic's perspective, stating: 'What we have ahead of us now is that through indirect talks mediated by Oman, the negotiation process is ongoing and that issue is being pursued.' He described the process of negotiations as 'confidential' and called the path forward in negotiations a 'forward path,' adding: 'Our effort is to create suitable grounds for serious movement in the new government during the remaining period until the new administration takes office.' The Persian section of Voice of America has inquired about the official U.S. reaction to the statements of the head of the Iranian Foreign Ministry and will share it with its audience once received. Mr. Bagheri Kani's remarks regarding the indirect negotiations between the Islamic Republic and the U.S. come less than a week after the second round of government elections to determine the successor to Ebrahim Raisi from candidates approved by Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic. The U.S. State Department spokesperson emphasized on Monday, July 18, in response to the announcement of Masoud Pezeshkian as the winning candidate in the government elections in Iran, that despite Ali Khamenei, the U.S. does not expect any change in the policies of the Islamic Republic. Matthew Miller, in a conversation with reporters, emphasized: 'We have no expectation that this election will lead to a fundamental change in the path or policies of the Islamic Republic, because it is Ali Khamenei who has the final say on Iran's policies, not the head of state.' He added: 'It is clear that if the new president had the authority to take actions to limit Iran's nuclear program, stop funding terrorism, and cease destabilizing activities in the region, we would welcome that, but under the current circumstances, we have no expectation for change.' The U.S. State Department spokesperson reiterated concerns regarding the Islamic Republic's nuclear activities, stating: 'Nothing has changed with the recent elections; we have clearly stated that given the escalation of Tehran's provocations worldwide, we are currently far from any meaningful diplomatic solution, but we still consider diplomacy the most effective way to achieve an effective and sustainable solution regarding Iran's nuclear program.' Meanwhile, the White House National Security Advisor for communications told the Persian section of Voice of America: 'Washington is not prepared to return to the negotiating table with Tehran simply because of a change in the Iranian presidency.' John Kirby firmly responded to the Persian section of Voice of America regarding whether Washington's position that 'we remain committed to diplomacy that advances U.S. interests' means that the Biden administration is ready to resume nuclear negotiations with the Islamic Republic, stating a decisive no. He emphasized: 'We are not willing to return to the negotiating table with Iran just because they have elected a new president.' The Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) passed a resolution against the Islamic Republic on June 6, calling for greater cooperation from the Iranian government and the lifting of the ban on the entry of experienced inspectors from the agency into Iran. The Biden administration has repeatedly emphasized that it will prevent this government from acquiring nuclear weapons while prioritizing 'diplomacy' to address the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. The IAEA and Western powers have repeatedly pointed out that no country has ever enriched uranium at such high levels for purely civilian purposes. The past three years of negotiations between the Iranian government and Western powers have failed due to reasons such as the Islamic Republic's obstruction in the nuclear program and the deadly suppression of nationwide protests over the killing of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini. Iran's missile and drone program and its increasing cooperation with the Russian government, as well as Tehran's destabilizing activities in the Middle East, are other major concerns for the U.S. and its European allies regarding the Iranian government.