Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has denied any message exchange with the United States on nuclear negotiations via Oman, but said messages were being exchanged 'when necessary' through Switzerland.
“Naturally, if there is a need for such efforts, they will certainly be undertaken, but no messages were exchanged during this visit,” Araghchi said during a joint press conference with his Omani counterpart, Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, in Tehran on Monday.
“Oman's role in nuclear negotiations is clear, and we have always expressed our gratitude to our Omani friends in this regard, ”he added.
He also reiterated that Tehran continues to exchange necessary messages with Washington through the Swiss Embassy. “At the appropriate time…and if necessary, it will be done through this channel. If needed, our Omani brothers could also assist, but no such actions took place during this trip,” he said.
Al Busaidi, who traveled to Tehran for high-level talks, did not comment on the matter but said that he carries a message from the Sultan of Oman for the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Araghchi also addressed regional issues, emphasizing the need for stability in Syria. "We all seek calm in Syria, the formation of an inclusive government, and an end to the occupation by Israel," he said, referring to what is internationally recognized as the Israeli occupied Golan Heights.
The press conference is part of a string of trips, following meetings in the UAE the day before, and china on Saturday. In Beijing, he held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, where, according to a statement by the ministry, they agreed to advance the implementation of the China-Iran Comprehensive Cooperation Plan.
Local rights group Haalvsh, citing a statement by Ansar al-Furqan, reported on Sunday that the group claimed responsibility for the attack.
The attack took place outside a police headquarters in Bandar Lengeh, a town on the Persian Gulf coast.
While Iranian state media say Captain Mojtaba Shahidi Takhti, the head of Bandar Lengeh police intelligence was the only victim of the attack, a statement by Ansar al-Furqan claims Sohrab Hassan Zadeh, a senior IRGC intelligence member in Hormozgan province, and Bakhtiar Soleimanpour, a delegate from Tehran's central police intelligence unit were also killed in the incident.
Iran International cannot independently verify the militant group's claim.
Captain Javad Chatr-Sahar, the deputy head of Bandar Lengeh police intelligence, was injured in the attack, the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News confirmed on Saturday citing the local governor.
The identity of the suicide bomber has not yet been precisely identified, the deputy security chief of Hormozgan province said on Sunday, but evidence suggests they were affiliated with what he called terrorist groups.
Authorities in Hormozgan province have arrested one individual in connection with the attack, Iran's judiciary's news agency Mizan reported Sunday citing the provincial judiciary chief.
The bomber was positioned on the two police officers' exit route and triggered the explosion with a remote control, the report by Tasnim news agency said.
Security forces promptly arrived at the scene after the incident and confirmed the attacker was also killed, Tasnim added, citing the local governor Foad Moradzadeh.
The attack came days before the anniversary of twin suicide bombings in January this year claimed by Islamic State which killed nearly 100 people at a southeastern Iran memorial for late top IRGC general Qassem Soleimani.
"A vehicle belonging to the Intelligence Organization of Iran's Law Enforcement Command overturned for unknown reasons while on duty on the Ardestan to Na'ein road, near the Noor Complex," Iranian news agency Rokna reported.
"In this incident, General Jalal Sharafat was martyred due to the severity of his injuries and Major Seyyed Mohsen Mirghasemi was injured," the report added.
Sherafat previously served as the head of the Iranian Anti-Narcotics Police's Cyberspace Center at least until 2019, but it is not clear what his position was at the time of his death.
