Iran claims that indirect negotiations with the US are still ongoing through Oman

Iran said on Monday that talks with the United States over its nuclear agreement and potential prisoner swaps had resumed indirectly through the Sultanate of Oman.

Western nations have long been closely monitoring Iran’s nuclear program, which has led to sanctions that have severely harmed the nation’s economy.

A 2015 agreement gave Tehran a much-needed reprieve from sanctions in exchange for limitations on its nuclear program, but it was doomed in 2018 when the United States unilaterally withdrew.

The two capitals have recently refuted media suggestions that they were nearing an interim agreement to replace the 2015 pact.

Following the 1979 Islamic revolution, which was headed by Iran’s first supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, diplomatic relations between Tehran and Washington deteriorated in 1980.

The 2015 nuclear accord has not yet been revived, despite efforts.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, reaffirmed his denial of efforts to develop a nuclear weapon on Sunday.

Additionally, he stated that agreements might be struck so long as “the existing infrastructure of the nuclear industry” is not altered.

Talks about a potential prisoner swap have also been held between Iran and its bitter enemy, the United States, through the mediation of Oman.

According to Kanani, a prisoner swap might be reached “in the near future” if Washington shows “the same level of seriousness” as Tehran.

Iranian authorities are holding at least three Iranian-Americans, including businessman Siamak Namazi, who was detained in October 2015 and given a 10-year jail term for espionage.

In recent weeks, Iran has freed six European individuals and brought back Assadollah Assadi, a diplomat who had been detained in Belgium after being found guilty of terrorism.

Kanani further refuted claims that Iran had given Russia supplies to “build a drone factory.”

John Kirby, the spokesperson for national security at the White House, said on Friday that Russia was getting supplies from Iran for the construction of a drone factory on its soil.