DUBAI: Iran and the US began high-stakes negotiations in Oman on Friday (Feb 6) in efforts to beat sharp variations over Tehran’s nuclear programme, however a dispute over widening the agenda dangers derailing diplomacy and triggering one other Center East battle.
Whereas each side have signalled readiness to revive diplomacy over Tehran’s long-running nuclear dispute with the West, Washington desires to increase the talks to additionally cowl Iran’s ballistic missiles, assist for armed teams across the area and “remedy of their very own folks”, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Wednesday.
Iran has stated it desires International Minister Abbas Araqchi and US Center East envoy Steve Witkoff to debate solely the nuclear difficulty in Muscat. US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who helped mediate in Gaza ceasefire talks, can be due to participate within the talks.
“Iran enters diplomacy with open eyes and a gentle reminiscence of the previous yr. We interact in good religion and stand agency on our rights. Commitments should be honoured,” Araqchi stated on X on Friday.
Tehran’s clerical management stays deeply involved that Trump should still perform his threats to strike Iran after a navy buildup by the US Navy close to Iran.
In June, the US struck Iranian nuclear targets, becoming a member of within the ultimate levels of a 12-day Israeli bombing marketing campaign. Tehran has since stated its uranium enrichment work has stopped.
The US naval buildup, which Trump has known as a large “armada”, has adopted a bloody authorities crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran final month, heightening tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Trump has warned that “unhealthy issues” would in all probability occur if a deal couldn’t be reached, ratcheting up stress on the Islamic Republic in a standoff that has led to mutual threats of air strikes.
“Whereas these negotiations are happening, I might remind the Iranian regime that the president has many choices at his disposal, except for diplomacy, because the commander-in-chief of probably the most highly effective navy within the historical past of the world,” White Home Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Thursday informed reporters.
Iran has vowed a harsh response to any navy strike and has cautioned neighbouring Gulf Arab international locations internet hosting US bases within the oil-rich area that they might be within the firing line in the event that they have been concerned in an assault. Iran has one of many Center East’s greatest stockpiles of ballistic missiles.
