The planned nuclear talks between the USA and Iran in Oman have been canceled following military escalations linked to Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Oman’s Foreign Minister has emphasized that diplomatic efforts are essential for achieving peace, despite increased hostilities between Israel and Iran. The background of U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement complicates the situation.
In a significant development regarding nuclear diplomacy, the anticipated talks between the United States and Iran that were set for this Sunday in Muscat, Oman, have been canceled. Foreign Minister Badr al-Bussaidi of Oman confirmed this decision, stating, “The talks between Iran and the US planned for this Sunday in Muscat will not take place. But diplomacy and dialog remain the only way to achieve lasting peace,” via a social media update on Platform X. Oman, acting as a mediator in these discussions, sees continued dialogue as critical.
The background to this cancellation is troubling, as tensions escalate following Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities that commenced early Friday. This military action includes bombings targeting military personnel, nuclear scientists, and various locations throughout Iran. Iranian officials have termed these attacks a declaration of war, which incurred retaliatory missile and drone strikes from Iran against Israel, reportedly affecting the heavily populated Tel Aviv area.
This latest round of talks comes in a fraught context. Nuclear discussions between Iran and the United States resumed in mid-April, amid Western fears that Iran may be covertly advancing its nuclear arms capabilities. Conversely, Tehran maintains that its nuclear program is strictly for civilian use.
Historically, this is not the first time these discussions have been overshadowed by conflict. The Vienna nuclear agreement was reached in 2015 after prolonged negotiations with global powers, aiming to curtail Iran’s nuclear ambitions. However, the landscape shifted dramatically in 2018 when then-President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement, re-imposing stringent sanctions that have further strained relations.
The U.S. has long been viewed as Iran’s chief adversary, especially since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, when relations were ruptured following a student-led seizure of the U.S. embassy in Tehran. This longstanding enmity complicates the already delicate situation surrounding the nuclear discussions.
In summary, the scheduled U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Oman has been canceled due to escalating military confrontations following Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. With Oman serving as a mediator, both countries recognize the importance of dialogue despite recent hostilities. The historical context surrounding these discussions highlights the long-standing tensions entwined with nuclear negotiations, particularly since the fallout from the U.S. exit from the Vienna agreement in 2018.
Original Source: www.bluewin.ch
