Swiss authorities officially announced on Saturday that Geneva will host a new round of diplomatic negotiations between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran next week. These anticipated talks are being hosted and directly sponsored by the Sultanate of Oman, which continues its tireless efforts to bridge the gap between the two sides, following up on the first round hosted by the Omani capital, Muscat, earlier this month.
Swiss confirmation and support for mediation
In a press statement, a spokesperson for the Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed to Agence France-Presse that Switzerland is fully prepared to provide all necessary logistical and diplomatic support to ensure the success of this dialogue. The spokesperson explained that "Oman will host the talks between the United States and Iran in Geneva next week," emphasizing that Switzerland welcomes and strongly supports this step, based on its policy of positive neutrality and the promotion of international peace.
Oman's role: Diplomacy of balance
This move is not unusual for the foreign policy of the Sultanate of Oman, long known as the "Switzerland of the Middle East." Muscat has a long and trusted history of playing the role of impartial mediator between the West and Tehran. This round of talks is particularly significant as it follows up on the "Muscat back channel," which was instrumental in paving the way for several previous agreements, most notably the 2015 nuclear deal, prisoner exchanges, and the release of frozen assets.
Omani diplomacy is distinguished by its unique ability to maintain strong strategic relations with Washington, while at the same time maintaining good neighborly and friendly relations with Tehran, making it the most acceptable party to convey sensitive messages and manage thorny issues away from the spotlight.
Strategic importance and regional context
These talks come at a highly sensitive time for the Middle East, where regional tensions are escalating and casting a shadow over international peace and security. Observers note that holding a second round of talks in such a short period (following the Muscat round) reflects a shared, albeit cautious, desire on both sides to de-escalate and prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.
The talks are expected to address vital issues, potentially including regional de-escalation, the nuclear file, and discussions on outstanding matters hindering regional stability. The choice of Geneva as the meeting venue, hosted by Oman, is seen as a symbolic gesture combining a desire for a solution (Oman's role) with the provision of a safe and neutral environment (Swiss territory), especially given that Switzerland has officially represented US interests in Iran for decades.
