Iran agrees to resume indirect nuclear talks with US in Oman on Sunday: report

Iran has agreed to hold a fourth round of indirect nuclear talks with the United States in Oman on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Friday.

According to Iran's official news agency IRNA, Araghchi said that Iran has communicated with Oman, which mediates the talks, and that the talks are set to take place on Sunday.

Iran is currently waiting for Oman to coordinate the specific start time of the negotiations.

Regarding the progress of the negotiations, Araghchi said that in any case, the negotiations are moving forward, and it is natural that the more progress they make, the more consultations and reviews they will need.

In addition, the delegations need more time to review the issues raised, Araghchi said.

Iran and the United States have held three rounds of indirect talks so far -- the first and third in Muscat, capital of Oman, on April 12 and April 26, and the second in Rome, capital of Italy, on April 19. A fourth round had been scheduled for May 3 in Rome but was postponed due to what Oman described as "logistical reasons."

Also on Friday, Araghchi held a phone call with Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to discuss the progress of the talks, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The two also reviewed bilateral cooperation on Iran's nuclear activities, which Iran insists are for peaceful purposes.

Iran signed a nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, with six world powers -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States -- in 2015. Under the deal, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

The United States, led by President Donald Trump during his first term, unilaterally withdrew from the accord in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, prompting Iran to gradually reduce compliance with its nuclear commitments. Efforts to revive the agreement have not achieved substantial progress.

Iran agrees to resume indirect nuclear talks with US in Oman on Sunday: report

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Wednesday that Seoul firmly adheres to the one-China principle, in comments made ahead of his upcoming state visit to China.

The remarks were made in an interview with China Media Group (CMG). The visit is scheduled for Jan 4–7.

"The consensus reached between governments of the Republic of Korea and China when diplomatic relations were established continues to be the fundamental principle governing our relations, and its effectiveness remains steadfast. I want to clearly state that the ROK has always adhered to the one-China principle. Maintaining peace and stability in regional matters, including in Northeast Asia and concerning the Taiwan issue, holds significant importance to us," said Lee.

"The foundational relationship between the ROK and China was established on a very principled and fundamental basis from the beginning. It is clear that the ROK government has always adhered to this position and has never wavered from it. I believe that the sound development of ROK-China relations depends on both sides fully respecting each other's core interests and being mutually tolerant of each other's positions. In this context, we will, as always, uphold the one-China principle as the Taiwan issue is China's most fundamental concern," he said.

ROK president reiterates firm adherence to one-China principle