US names lead for technical talks with Iran, Politico reports

Department of State policy planning director Michael Anton will lead a team of about a dozen US government officials to negotiate with Iran in upcoming nuclear talks. (Wikimedia Commons)
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Updated 24 April 2025
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US names lead for technical talks with Iran, Politico reports

  • Expert-level Iran-US talks will take place on Saturday in Oman

WASHINGTON: Department of State policy planning director Michael Anton will lead a team of about a dozen US government officials to negotiate with Iran in upcoming nuclear talks, a US official said on Thursday.

Expert-level Iran-US talks will take place on Saturday, Tehran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said, with a third round of high-level nuclear talks due on the same day in Oman.

Iran and the US agreed last Saturday to begin drawing up a framework for a potential nuclear deal, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said after the talks in Rome that a US official described as yielding very good progress.

Politico first reported the choice of Anton.

Anton was a spokesman for the White House National Security Council during Trump’s first term from 2017-2021. He also worked for former President George W. Bush’s NSC and is a former BlackRock managing director


GCC ambassadors hold discussions with Japan’s ruling party regarding Iran

Updated 8 sec ago
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GCC ambassadors hold discussions with Japan’s ruling party regarding Iran

  • KONO Taro, head of the LDP’s international relations, participated in the high-level discussions alongside other senior officials
  • Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Japan, described the meeting as a timely opportunity to exchange views on the evolving regional situation

TOKYO: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) ambassadors met on Tuesday with leaders of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to explore deeper collaboration across multiple fields and tackle pressing issues related to Iran.

KONO Taro, head of the party’s international relations, participated in the high-level discussions alongside other senior officials.

Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Japan, described the meeting as a timely opportunity to exchange views on the evolving regional situation.

Ambassador Binzagr emphasized that during periods of heightened tension, open dialogue with trusted partners like Japan is essential. He noted that diplomacy and clear communication are vital for defusing conflict and maintaining regional stability.

Saudi Ambassador Binzagr further noted that the Gulf countries and Japan share a longstanding history of cooperation founded on mutual trust and common objectives of stability and prosperity. He stated, “In times such as these, it is precisely these enduring partnerships that allow constructive dialogue to prevail, and that help ensure that wisdom and restraint guide the path toward peace and stability in our region."

Kono underscored the strong bonds and active cooperation between Japan and the GCC, noting that Japan views its ties with the GCC as a strategic partnership.