Zarif in Oman to Discuss Critical Topics

(L-R) Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, EU envoy Catherine Ashton, Omani Foreign Minister Yussef bin Alawi and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry pose for a photo in Muscat November 9, 2014. REUTERS/Nicholas Kamm/Pool
(L-R) Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, EU envoy Catherine Ashton, Omani Foreign Minister Yussef bin Alawi and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry pose for a photo in Muscat November 9, 2014. REUTERS/Nicholas Kamm/Pool
TT
20

Zarif in Oman to Discuss Critical Topics

(L-R) Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, EU envoy Catherine Ashton, Omani Foreign Minister Yussef bin Alawi and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry pose for a photo in Muscat November 9, 2014. REUTERS/Nicholas Kamm/Pool
(L-R) Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, EU envoy Catherine Ashton, Omani Foreign Minister Yussef bin Alawi and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry pose for a photo in Muscat November 9, 2014. REUTERS/Nicholas Kamm/Pool

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held discreet talks with his Omani counterpart Yusuf bin Alawi upon his arrival to Muscat before meeting Omani Sultan Qaboos bin Said. During the meeting with Sultan Qaboos, they discussed regional topics including events in Yemen, Syria, and developments in Iraqi Kurdistan.

This is the first visit of an Iranian official after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani visit mid of February.

According to Iranian media, the delegation headed by Zarif stopped in Muscat before heading to Doha on Monday to discuss bilateral ties and regional developments.

During his meeting with Qaboos, Zarif described Tehran-Muscat ties as special as he pointed out the similar stances towards regional dialogue and political topics not to mention bilateral economic, energy and navigation ties.

The purpose of the short visit to Oman and Qatar is to discuss regional topics and tense conditions, according to Zarif.

In this context, Zarif added that Omanis and Iranians share the point of view towards the referendum of Iraqi Kurdistan and that “no state supports the referendum on the international level.”

He reiterated Tehran’s insistence on protecting the unity of Iraq in accordance with the Iraqi constitution.

As for the nuclear deal, the Iranian FM renewed his country’s stance that rejects renegotiating the nuclear program and affirmed that Iran wouldn’t be the one to breach the deal first.

Iran's Ambassador to Oman Mohammad Reza Nouri stated that Iran is discussing facilities for Iranians’ entrance to Oman, revealing the progress achieved in economic cooperation during the past months and expressing hope that banking relations witness more advancement between Oman and Iran.



Kremlin Says It ‘Noted’ Trump’s Statement on Shorter Deadline for a Ceasefire in Ukraine 

Ukrainian servicemen of the 59th brigade mobile air defense unit fire a Soviet made ZU-23 anti-aircraft twin autocannon towards a Russian drone during an air attack near Pavlograd, Dnipropetrovsk region on July 19, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (AFP)
Ukrainian servicemen of the 59th brigade mobile air defense unit fire a Soviet made ZU-23 anti-aircraft twin autocannon towards a Russian drone during an air attack near Pavlograd, Dnipropetrovsk region on July 19, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (AFP)
TT
20

Kremlin Says It ‘Noted’ Trump’s Statement on Shorter Deadline for a Ceasefire in Ukraine 

Ukrainian servicemen of the 59th brigade mobile air defense unit fire a Soviet made ZU-23 anti-aircraft twin autocannon towards a Russian drone during an air attack near Pavlograd, Dnipropetrovsk region on July 19, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (AFP)
Ukrainian servicemen of the 59th brigade mobile air defense unit fire a Soviet made ZU-23 anti-aircraft twin autocannon towards a Russian drone during an air attack near Pavlograd, Dnipropetrovsk region on July 19, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (AFP)

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that it had "taken note" of a statement by US President Donald Trump that he was shortening his deadline for Moscow to sign up to a ceasefire in Ukraine or face sanctions.

Trump set a new deadline on Monday of 10 or 12 days for Russia to make progress toward ending the war in Ukraine or face consequences, underscoring frustration with President Vladimir Putin over the 3-1/2-year-old conflict.

Asked about Trump's statement on Tuesday during a conference call with reporters, the Kremlin kept its remarks short.

"We have taken note of President Trump's statement yesterday. The special military operation continues," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, employing the term that Moscow uses for its war effort in Ukraine.

"We remain committed to a peace process to resolve the conflict around Ukraine and to ensure our interests in the course of this settlement."

Trump threatened on July 14 to impose new sanctions on Russia and buyers of its exports within 50 days, a deadline which would have expired in early September.

But on Monday, during a visit to Britain, he shortened that deadline and said: "There's no reason in waiting... We just don't see any progress being made."

Trump, who has held half a dozen calls with the Kremlin leader since returning to the White House in January, also said he was "not so interested in talking any more".

Peskov declined to comment on that remark.