Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, commented on Tuesday regarding the U.S.-Iran negotiations, stating that he is neither overly optimistic nor overly pessimistic, emphasizing that the mistakes made in the nuclear agreement should not be repeated.
According to Iran's Mehr News Agency, a group of government members, Islamic Consultative Assembly members, senior judiciary officials, and representatives from various institutions met with Khamenei to mark the beginning of the new year.
During his speech, Khamenei remarked, "The Oman talks are just one of the many tasks undertaken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and we do not tie the country's issues to them." He added, "Negotiations must be pursued carefully, and our red lines are clear to us and the other party. The talks may yield results, or they may not. We are neither overly optimistic nor overly pessimistic about them."
He further stated, "The initial steps of the negotiations have been taken and executed well. Of course, we are very skeptical of the other side, but we are optimistic about our own capabilities. The mistake we made in the nuclear agreement should not be repeated here. During the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), we made everything dependent on the progress of negotiations, including investments. When investors see that the country is hostage to negotiations, they will not invest."
Khamenei stressed that follow-up is more important than decision-making, adding, "There are good laws, systems, and necessary plans in the country, but lack of follow-up prevents achieving goals satisfactorily."
The United States and Iran held their first round of negotiations last Saturday in Oman to discuss Iran's nuclear program, with a second round scheduled for next Saturday.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the initial talks between Iran and the Trump administration, including during Trump's first term from 2017 to 2021, were conducted in a "constructive, calm, and positive atmosphere."
On Monday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry announced that the second round of talks would take place next Saturday, amid escalating threats from U.S. President Donald Trump of "severe consequences" to prevent Iran from "acquiring a nuclear weapon."
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei told Iran's IRNA news agency, "After consultations, it was decided that the Omani capital, Muscat, will continue to host the second round of these indirect talks with the United States," noting that they are scheduled for Saturday, April 20.
