Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghaji held telephone conversations with the foreign ministers of Turkey, Iraq, and Egypt to discuss a proposed Islamabad memorandum of understanding [1].

These discussions are intended to advance the Muscat negotiations and establish a framework for regional cooperation. The outreach signals a diplomatic effort to synchronize interests among key Middle Eastern powers through formal agreements.

The talks, which occurred June 14, 2024 [2], focused on the Islamabad MoU as a primary mechanism for the ongoing Muscat negotiations [1]. By engaging with the foreign ministries of Turkey, Iraq, and Egypt, Tehran seeks to lay the groundwork for a broader cooperation framework [1].

While reports on the specific participants vary, some sources indicate Araghaji spoke with the Iraqi foreign minister [1], while others suggest the calls included the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia [2]. This discrepancy highlights the fluid nature of the current diplomatic outreach in the region.

A spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry said the progress was a positive step, stating that the "Muscat negotiations are a good start" [2].

The use of phone diplomacy allows Tehran to quickly coordinate with multiple capitals without the delays of formal summits. The proposed Islamabad MoU appears to be the central pillar of this strategy, acting as a bridge between the general goals of the Muscat talks and specific, actionable cooperation between the involved nations [1].

“Muscat negotiations are a good start”

The pursuit of an Islamabad MoU within the context of the Muscat negotiations suggests Iran is attempting to institutionalize regional ties through a multi-lateral framework. By involving Turkey, Egypt, and Iraq, Tehran is leveraging regional intermediaries to stabilize diplomatic relations and create a structured environment for cooperation that bypasses traditional Western-led mediation.