Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and the UAE where he shared updates on the nuclear negotiations with the United States, explored avenues to strengthen bilateral cooperation and discussed regional security developments. The primary aim was to coordinate with Gulf powers regarding Iran’s position on the ongoing nuclear talks, build trust and alleviate skepticism among neighboring states about Tehran’s intentions and the potential outcomes of any nuclear deal.
Araghchi’s Gulf outreach was undertaken just before US President Donald Trump’s Middle East tour, during which several agreements were signed to strengthen cooperation with Gulf states, particularly in security, technology and economic sectors. Araghchi’s recent visits have become extremely critical considering the timing and context, as they reflect Tehran’s strategic response to the rapid regional geopolitical developments. The visits also underscore Iran’s attempt to redefine its image from a destabilizing force to a potential partner in ensuring regional security at a time when trust deficits persist and competition for influence is intensifying. Iran recognizes the growing agency of the Gulf states in regional diplomacy and their potential influence on the contours of any nuclear deal.
In a press conference held in Jeddah, Araghchi emphasized that “Saudi Arabia has an important role in the sustainability of any possible agreement, and coordination with Riyadh is a priority for us.” He further noted that “any agreement that ignores the interests of regional nations will not be sustainable.” While Saudi Arabia is not directly involved in the Oman-mediated nuclear talks, its close ties with Washington position it as a potential facilitator, and its growing economic and diplomatic clout becomes important. Both delegations also discussed the security situation in the Red Sea and acknowledged the need for regional cooperation to maintain stability. Recently, Oman facilitated a truce between the United States and the Houthis to prevent further escalation. Also, during Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, he announced that he would lift sanctions on Syria at the request of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marking a significant shift in US policy. Aware of the critical role played by the Gulf states, Iran now appears keen to align with regional de-escalation efforts and is signaling its willingness to offer assurances to its Arab neighbors.
Araghchi visited Qatar and met Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and discussed the developments in Gaza as well as other regional issues. While in Qatar, he also attended the 4th Arab Iranian Dialogue Conference in Doha. During his talk, he emphasized the urgency of regional dialogue amid ongoing conflicts and shifting power dynamics. The conference underscored the need for a sustainable, constructive partnership to ensure regional peace and stability. Such efforts by utilizing Track 1.5 diplomacy serve as a bridge between official state negotiations and informal dialogue, allowing both sides to explore sensitive issues in a flexible, lower-stakes environment, which can feed into formal policymaking and build trust for future cooperation. As part of Iran’s efforts to build regional consensus around the nuclear talks and broader security concerns, Araghchi also met his Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi on May 12. Araghchi’s visit to the UAE was primarily focused on fostering a coordinated and unified regional approach to key issues, with the Palestinian situation being a central concern.
Earlier, to participate in the fourth round of nuclear talks, Araghchi had traveled to Oman. He thanked Oman for hosting the talks, underscoring the important role Oman plays as a mediator in the negotiations. Iran reiterated its commitment to peaceful nuclear development under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and affirmed its readiness to continue diplomatic engagement. The United States has demanded that Iran dismantle its uranium enrichment facilities and halt all enrichment activities, treating this as a non-negotiable red line. Araghchi reaffirmed Iran’s position that it has no intention of acquiring nuclear weapons and asserted Iran’s sovereign right to continue developing its peaceful nuclear program, including uranium enrichment. He expressed optimism that a fair and balanced nuclear agreement remains achievable, provided that other parties abandon unrealistic demands. Before the fourth round of negotiations, IRGC Commander-in-Chief Hossein Salami warned the United States of severe consequences, threatening to “open the gates of hell” if the United States attacked any of Iran’s nuclear facilities. This highlights the internal divisions within Iran and Tehran’s dual-track approach: while its diplomatic channels work towards securing a deal, “hardliners” maintain a skeptical stance, using strong rhetoric to reinforce domestic and regional narratives. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei described the discussions as “difficult but useful,” suggesting that while communication channels remain open, key issues like uranium enrichment limits and sanctions relief remain unresolved. Iran’s repeated emphasis on its rights under the NPT and the peaceful nature of its program serves not only to assert legal legitimacy but also to shape the narrative in its favor. Both Iran and the United States appear to be managing public narratives carefully by portraying progress to maintain engagement, while setting boundaries to avoid appearing too conciliatory. The United States insists on the complete dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, while Iran maintains that it is only willing to negotiate on scope, level, and amount of enrichment for a certain period to build confidence. In this context, the role of Oman, as well as other Gulf states, in enabling a breakthrough becomes extremely critical as trusted intermediaries capable of maintaining confidential backchannels and reducing misperceptions.
Tehran has now turned to regional diplomacy to mitigate external pressure and build confidence among neighboring countries. Araghchi’s talks with Saudi officials as well as other leaders from the Gulf on the nuclear issue reflect a calculated effort to reassure Riyadh that Iran’s stance poses no direct threat and to provide security guarantees. This outreach reflects a broader strategic recalibration, where Iran and Saudi Arabia, despite past hostilities, are exploring avenues to resolve sensitive security matters bilaterally. These efforts build on earlier high-level exchanges, including the visit of Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman to Tehran, and suggest that both sides are testing a new mode of engagement that prioritizes regional dialogue over external mediation. If sustained, this approach could mark a significant shift in the regional security architecture, anchoring stability in local cooperation rather than foreign intervention. Moreover, it is evident that Washington is increasingly relying on close regional allies such as Saudi Arabia, whose interests align in favor of avoiding conflict to help ensure stability and promote diplomacy over confrontation. This is particularly significant given that Trump is keen to avoid entering new wars, emphasizing negotiation and strategic restraint over direct military engagement. However, the prospect of this approach remains to be seen as it largely hinges on the institutionalization of mechanisms for transparency and conflict resolution, as well as Iran’s ability to tame its regional proxies. Iran’s recent outreach to Gulf states suggests a deliberate effort to coordinate among regional powers and reduce suspicion before entering the crucial high-stakes stages of negotiations with the United States. In doing so, Iran is also tacitly acknowledging the growing geopolitical influence of the Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia, which in recent years have emerged as key mediators, offering their good offices to resolve regional and global conflicts.
