Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Visits Oman To Discuss Persian Gulf Issues

DOHA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th May, 2019) Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi visited Oman and will continue on to Kuwait and Qatar to discuss the situation in the Persian Gulf amid escalating tensions between Washington and Teheran.

In the face of an alleged threat coming from Iran, the United States boosted its military presence in the Persian Gulf earlier in May, deploying a bomber task force and an aircraft carrier to the region.

"Just visited Oman, will go to Kuwait & Qatar next: No direct/indirect talk with US, but ready to negotiate with each and every country in the Persian Gulf for a balanced & constructive relations based on mutual respect & interests," Araghchi tweeted on Sunday.

Tensions have been soaring high between Tehran and Washington since May 2018 when US President Donald Trump, a long-time critic of the Iran nuclear deal, pulled out of the agreement in May 2018. In less than a year Washington unveiled massive batches of sanctions against the Islamic Republic, targeting the country's finance, transport, military and other spheres.

Earlier in May, Iran announced that it had partially discontinued its commitments under the landmark accord and gave Europe 60 days to ensure Iran's interests were protected under the agreement. Paris expressed concern over Tehran's statements about its intention to stop fulfilling a number of obligations under the Iranian deal.