Israel–Iran War Live: Oman's Sultan Meets Iran's Araghchi to Discuss Regional Situation
Sultan Haitham bin Tariq received Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Muscat on Saturday as Oman steps up its pivotal mediation role — with peace talks stalled, Trump's envoys grounded, and the ceasefire hanging by a thread.
Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq met Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi in Muscat as diplomatic efforts intensify · NATFLIX / File
Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq received Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Muscat on Saturday, in a high-stakes meeting that underscores the Gulf sultanate's growing centrality to the diplomatic effort to end the Israel–Iran war — even as formal US–Iran negotiations remained in disarray following President Trump's last-minute cancellation of his envoys' trip to Pakistan.
Araghchi arrived in the Omani capital directly from Islamabad, where he had concluded what he described as a "very fruitful" visit with Pakistani mediators but pointedly declined to meet with American negotiators. His tour — spanning Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow — is aimed at coordinating Iran's diplomatic position with key regional and global partners as ceasefire talks with Washington remain stuck on fundamental disagreements over nuclear enrichment, the US naval blockade, and the future of Iran's missile programme.
Why Oman Matters More Than Ever
Oman's role in this crisis is unique and cannot be overstated. It is the only Arab Gulf state to have directly criticised the US and Israeli strikes against Iran when the war began on February 28, and the only Gulf nation to publicly welcome the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran's new supreme leader following his father's death in the opening strikes of the conflict.
That positioning — carefully neutral, historically trusted by Tehran, and acceptable to Washington — makes Sultan Haitham's palace in Muscat arguably the most important diplomatic venue in the Middle East right now. Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi was instrumental in mediating the pre-war nuclear talks in early 2026, and it was Albusaidi who said after those February discussions that he was "confident" a peace deal was "within our reach" — hours before the US and Israel launched their strikes.
"At the lexicon of high-stakes diplomacy, duration is very significant and important if not promising. Both sides need to have a better and clearer understanding of the situation before they reconvene."
— Abas Aslani, Center for Middle East Strategic Studies, Al JazeeraAraghchi's meeting with the Sultan was described by analysts as notably lengthy — a positive signal in diplomatic terms, where time spent at the table often reflects the depth of engagement. Araghchi also held a series of phone calls from Muscat with his counterparts in Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, briefing them on the latest state of the negotiations with Washington and soliciting their support for Iran's position.
Araghchi's Three-Nation Diplomatic Blitz
The Iranian foreign minister embarked on his regional tour Friday evening with a clear message posted on X: "Embarking on a timely tour of Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow. Purpose of my visits is to closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments. Our neighbours are our priority."
🗺 Araghchi's Diplomatic Tour — April 25–27, 2026
Stop 1 — Islamabad, Pakistan: Met Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and PM Shehbaz Sharif. Delivered Iran's negotiating position and reservations about US demands to Pakistani mediators. Declined to meet US envoys. Praised Pakistan's "brotherly efforts."
Stop 2 — Muscat, Oman: Met Sultan Haitham bin Tariq. Briefed Omani leadership on state of ceasefire talks. Held phone calls with Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Oman is the only Gulf state to back Iran's new supreme leader.
Stop 3 — Moscow, Russia (upcoming): Iran seeking to shore up Russian diplomatic and economic support. Russia holds significant leverage as a veto-wielding UN Security Council member and a key market for Iranian oil under the blockade.
In Islamabad, Araghchi delivered Tehran's negotiating demands directly to Pakistani officials, along with Iran's specific reservations about the US position, according to a Pakistani source involved in the talks who spoke to Reuters. Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir announced his country's readiness to continue mediation efforts "until a result is achieved." PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed appreciation for Iran sending such a high-level delegation to Islamabad.
Key Flashpoints: What Is Blocking a Deal
The Core Sticking Points — US vs. Iran, April 2026
- Nuclear Enrichment: The US demands Iran end all uranium enrichment. Iran insists enrichment is a sovereign right and is "non-negotiable." Araghchi wants talks focused on nuclear issues only; the US wants a broader package.
- Missile Programme: Washington demands limits on Iran's ballistic missile capabilities. Tehran has ruled this out entirely — Araghchi has called it "non-negotiable."
- Regional Proxies: The US wants Iran to end its support for Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and other armed groups. Iran views this as interference in sovereign policy.
- Naval Blockade: Iran demands the US lift its blockade of Iranian ports before talks proceed. Trump has refused: the blockade stays until a deal is signed. As of Saturday, 37 ships redirected; 3 seized.
- Iran's Deal Offer: Trump called Tehran's latest proposal "not good enough," though he said Iran sent a "much better" offer within minutes of him cancelling the envoys' Pakistan trip. No details published.
- Iran's Leadership: The US remains uncertain who holds final authority in Tehran following Khamenei's death. This ambiguity has complicated every stage of the talks.
Live Updates — Saturday & Sunday, April 25–26
📡 Latest Developments
Sultan Haitham bin Tariq receives Araghchi at the Royal Palace in Muscat. The meeting is described as lengthy — a positive indicator. Araghchi calls on Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia by phone to brief them on the state of negotiations.
Trump cancels Witkoff and Kushner's trip to Pakistan, declaring Iran's deal offer "not good enough." He says the US will negotiate by telephone. Within minutes, Iran sends a "much better" offer, Trump tells reporters — though he gives no details and reaffirms the war will not resume.
Araghchi departs Islamabad for Muscat after meeting Pakistani officials. He posts on X: "Shared Iran's position concerning a workable framework to permanently end the war. Have yet to see if the US is truly serious about diplomacy."
Iran's top military command warns that if the US continues its naval blockade of Iranian ports, Tehran's armed forces will respond. Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters states it has "greater authority and readiness than before to defend sovereignty and national interests."
Iran resumes commercial flights from Tehran's international airport for the first time since the war began February 28. Scheduled routes include Istanbul, Muscat, and the Saudi city of Medina — a significant sign of normalisation.
US Central Command intercepts the tanker M/V Sevan — added to US sanctions lists just one day earlier — in the Arabian Sea and escorts it back toward Iran. Total ships redirected by the US Navy blockade now stands at 37, with three seized outright.
Israel strikes southern Lebanon, killing at least six people it identifies as Hezbollah militants. Rockets and drones are launched at Israel from Lebanon in retaliation. PM Netanyahu orders the military to "vigorously attack Hezbollah targets." The Lebanon ceasefire — extended by three weeks by Trump on Thursday — is increasingly under strain. Lebanese Health Ministry reports 2,496 killed by Israeli strikes since March 2.
The Road Ahead: Araghchi Returns to Pakistan
Iran's IRNA state news agency reported that Araghchi is expected to return to Pakistan after his Muscat visit before proceeding to Moscow — and a source familiar with the negotiations told The Times of Israel that the Iranian foreign minister could potentially meet US envoys Witkoff and Kushner in Islamabad early next week after completing his Oman and Russia stops.
Trump told reporters Saturday afternoon that a meeting with Iran was unlikely before Tuesday at the earliest. The next round of talks has not been formally announced, and the format — whether direct or indirect — remains unresolved. Tehran continues to insist it prefers indirect talks through intermediaries like Pakistan and Oman; Washington has pressed for direct engagement.
"We're not going to go there to sit around talking about nothing. We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want."
— President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters outside Air Force One, April 25, 2026The ceasefire that Pakistan brokered on April 7 and Trump extended unilaterally on April 21 continues to hold — in name, at least. But with the Strait of Hormuz still effectively closed, crude oil trading above $105 a barrel, more than 5,800 people dead across Iran and Lebanon combined, and no agreed path to the next round of talks, the gap between a ceasefire and a genuine peace agreement has rarely felt wider.
Oman, for now, is the one corner of the region where both sides still seem willing to be in the same diplomatic room. Sultan Haitham's meeting with Araghchi may not produce an immediate breakthrough. But in a crisis this fragile, keeping the conversation alive is itself a form of progress — and that, right now, is Muscat's most important contribution to the world.
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