{"id":330542,"date":"2025-04-15T08:29:48","date_gmt":"2025-04-15T07:29:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=330542"},"modified":"2025-04-15T08:29:48","modified_gmt":"2025-04-15T07:29:48","slug":"iran-news-regime-scrambles-to-contain-fallout-after-nuclear-negotiator-caught-pocketing-gold-pen-in-oman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/nuclear\/iran-news-regime-scrambles-to-contain-fallout-after-nuclear-negotiator-caught-pocketing-gold-pen-in-oman\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran News: Regime Scrambles to Contain Fallout After Nuclear Negotiator Caught Pocketing Gold Pen in Oman"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Kazem
Kazem Gharibabadi, senior Iranian negotiator and former judiciary official (left), and the gold-plated fountain pen valued at over $14,000 (right)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Iran\u2019s clerical regime is scrambling to contain a diplomatic embarrassment after Kazem Gharibabadi, a top official and member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team, was caught pocketing a luxury gold-plated pen during recent talks in Muscat, Oman. The incident, first reported by Times of Oman<\/em>, has since seemingly disappeared from public record\u2014possibly due to behind-the-scenes diplomatic pressure\u2014but the regime\u2019s own semi-official press has already confirmed<\/a> the details, making Tehran\u2019s subsequent denials look absurd.<\/p>\n

According to Hafte Sobh<\/em><\/a>, a regime-aligned Iranian newspaper, \u201cat the end of yesterday\u2019s negotiations, Mr. Kazem Gharibabadi mistakenly put the gold fountain pen\u2014placed on the negotiation table by the host country as per usual protocol\u2014into his pocket.\u201d The paper admitted that the item was valued at over $14,000 due to its gold craftsmanship and attributed the act to a “habitual gesture” of Gharibabadi placing pens in his pocket. Despite the embarrassing optics, Iran\u2019s ambassador to Oman, Mousa Farhang, issued an official apology to Omani authorities and assured them that \u201cthe pen in question will be returned via our embassy in Muscat.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Hafte Sobh<\/em> sought to downplay the incident as a \u201charmless mistake,\u201d state-run media outlets launched a furious campaign to deny the entire affair. Mizan News Agency<\/em> and Nour News<\/em>, both affiliated with Iran\u2019s judiciary and security apparatus, blamed the story on the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK\/PMOI), labeling it a \u201cpsychological operation\u201d by \u201cenemy media.\u201d Mizan cited<\/a> a Foreign Ministry source who called the story \u201ca fabrication… intended to discredit Iran\u2019s diplomats and manipulate public opinion.\u201d Similarly, Nour News<\/em> claimed<\/a> that \u201cno such report exists in Omani media\u201d and described the allegation as \u201ca fake news scenario orchestrated by hostile opposition groups.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Freed #Iranian<\/a> Terrorist Bomber Accuses European Countries of #HumanRights<\/a> Abuseshttps:\/\/t.co\/uARYEMSqT3<\/a><\/p>\n

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) May 17, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n