ISLAMABAD: Iran has categorically rejected a U.S. proposal during recentindirect negotiations in Oman that it cease uranium enrichment activitiesor relocate its enriched material stockpiles to foreign territories. Thediscussions, facilitated by Omani mediators, highlighted persistent coredisagreements over Tehran’s nuclear program but concluded with a mutualcommitment to sustain dialogue in order to prevent heightened regionalinstability. This development underscores the challenges in bridginglongstanding divides between Washington and Tehran amid ongoinggeopolitical pressures.
The talks, held in Muscat under Oman’s auspices, represented a criticaldiplomatic effort following months of strained relations. U.S. officialshave consistently pressed Iran to dismantle or significantly curb itsuranium enrichment capabilities, viewing them as a pathway to potentialnuclear weapons development despite Tehran’s assertions of peaceful intent.Iranian representatives, however, maintained that enrichment remains asovereign right and non-negotiable element of their civilian nuclear energyprogram, leading to the outright dismissal of demands for cessation orexternal transfer.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi played a pivotal role by conductingseparate meetings with delegations from both nations, fostering anenvironment for exchange without direct confrontation. Reports indicate theU.S. side included Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and other seniorfigures, while Iran’s team was led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.Although limited progress was achieved on substantive issues, the mediationhelped clarify positions and identify potential avenues for futureengagement.
Iran’s position aligns with its historical stance since the collapse of the2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), from which the UnitedStates withdrew in 2018. Tehran has progressively advanced its enrichmentlevels, reaching up to 60 percent purity in recent years according toInternational Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) assessments, a threshold close toweapons-grade material. This advancement has intensified internationalconcerns, prompting renewed calls from Washington for stringent limits as aprecondition for any sanctions relief.
Despite the rejection, both parties expressed willingness to reconvene.Iranian officials described the session as a constructive initial step,emphasizing the need for negotiations free from threats or externalpressure. Omani statements echoed this sentiment, noting the talks aided inunderstanding mutual perspectives and laying groundwork for possibleresumed diplomatic and technical discussions in the near term.
The backdrop to these negotiations includes heightened regional tensions,including prior military incidents and broader Middle East dynamics. U.S.demands extend beyond enrichment to encompass curbs on ballistic missiledevelopment and support for proxy groups, issues Iran has refused toinclude in the current nuclear-focused framework. This narrow scopereflects Tehran’s strategy to isolate the nuclear file from othercontentious matters.
Analysts observe that Iran’s refusal to compromise on enrichment reflectsdomestic political imperatives, where the program symbolizes national prideand technological independence. Any concession could be perceived ascapitulation amid internal challenges, including economic strains fromsanctions. For the United States, maintaining pressure through demands andpotential escalatory measures remains central to preventing nuclearproliferation risks.
The agreement to persist with talks signals cautious optimism thatdiplomacy may yet avert confrontation. Oman, with its established trackrecord as a neutral intermediary in past U.S.-Iran interactions, continuesto facilitate channels that could evolve into more structured negotiations.However, fundamental mistrust persists, with both sides needing to addressverification mechanisms, sanctions relief timelines, and complianceassurances.
Future rounds will likely test whether incremental confidence-buildingmeasures can emerge. The IAEA’s ongoing monitoring role will remain crucialin providing objective data on Iran’s nuclear activities, influencing thetrajectory of discussions. Regional stakeholders, including Gulf states,closely watch these developments given implications for security and energystability.
The outcome of these Oman-mediated efforts could shape broadernon-proliferation prospects in the Middle East, where unresolved nuclearquestions continue to fuel uncertainty.
Source:https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/u-s-iran-begin-high-stakes-nuclear-talks-in-oman-fc07cdce
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