It has been confirmed that three government aircraft, including the Iranian president's private jet involved in clashes with Israel, arrived in Muscat, Oman, on the 18th (local time). Observations have been raised regarding the possibility of resuming nuclear negotiations with the United States.
According to foreign media such as The War Zone and The Times of Israel, the aircraft that landed in Oman that day consisted of one Airbus A340 and two A321s, operating flights JJ25, JJ26, and JJ28, respectively. Among them, the A340 aircraft is registered in Iran as EP-IGA, which is presumed to be the president's private jet as it was used by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during a previous UN General Assembly.
The flight tracking site FlightRadar24 did not display the departure locations of these aircraft, and the passengers and the purpose of the flight have not been officially confirmed. However, foreign media suggest that the Iranian delegation participating in unofficial nuclear negotiations with the United States may be on board these aircraft.
The War Zone reported that in addition to these three aircraft, another plane that departed from Iran is heading to Muscat.
The flight of the Iranian aircraft to Oman on that day is understood to possibly involve behind-the-scenes contacts for resuming nuclear negotiations. The sixth U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, which were previously scheduled, were canceled on the 15th due to escalating military clashes between Israel and Iran.
Analysis follows that despite maintaining a hardline stance, Iran is keeping diplomatic channels open. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei countered President Trump's demand for surrender by stating, "The Iranian people will never yield," but it has also been reported that diplomatic contacts are occurring simultaneously.
President Trump also said at the White House that day, "They should have signed the document," adding that they must be thinking that they should have signed it by now. However, he clarified that the diplomatic channel is "not closed" and added that he could accommodate a visit to the United States if Iran desires.
Earlier, President Trump mentioned on the 16th that Middle East special envoy Steve Whitkof and Vice President JD Vance might pursue negotiations with Iran.
Meanwhile, The War Zone reported that "if these flights are unrelated to negotiations, they could be a means for senior Iranian officials or their families to escape the conflict."