A senior Iranian security official said on Wednesday that consultations are underway to determine the date for the next round of indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the United States.
Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani made the statement in a visit to Muscat, capital of mediator Oman. He said the negotiations with the U.S. were "good to some extent," and expressed his view that the U.S. appears willing to reach an agreement.
Larijani also emphasized that a comprehensive judgment cannot be made based solely on the current situation and that close attention must be paid to the subsequent process.
Iran and the U.S. held their initial round of indirect talks in Muscat last Friday. U.S. President Donald Trump said on the same day that the two sides plan to continue negotiations, though he did not disclose a specific location. Some media outlets suggest that Oman may once again serve as the venue for the talks.
Also on Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on social media that millions of Iranians took to the streets that day to celebrate the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Araghchi stated that much has happened since the Islamic Revolution, particularly over the past year. Yet, Iran has always stood strong, with its resilience rooted in trust in its own people rather than reliance on foreign regimes.
Araghchi said he sincerely hopes the coming year will be one of peace and tranquility, with dialogue prevailing over war. Diplomacy is Iran's preference, and a deal on the country's peaceful nuclear program is achievable, but only if it is fair and balanced. To this end, Iran will not shy away from defending its sovereignty, whatever the cost, according to the Iranian foreign minister.
Iran's rights and dignity are not for sale, he said.
Also on Wednesday, three U.S. officials revealed that the Pentagon is ready to deploy a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East against Iran.
The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush is likely to depart from the U.S. East Coast in two weeks. The carrier is completing a series of training exercises off the coast of Virginia and could potentially expedite those exercises, according to the officials.
Trump said on Tuesday that he was considering sending a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East for possible military actions against Iran if negotiations failed.
One of the officials said the deployment order could be issued within hours, but Trump has not yet formally given the order, and the plan could change.
Iran says date of next nuke talks with U.S. under consultations
