Muscat. Amid months of intense military tension and bitterness in the Middle East, a new ray of diplomacy has emerged. An important but indirect talks were held between representatives of the US and Iran on Friday in Muscat, the capital of Oman. This conversation took place at a time when the entire region was on the brink of war following military attacks on Iran by the US and Israel last year. In this talk, Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi played the role of messenger, because representatives of the two countries did not sit face to face at the same table. However, America’s decision to impose new sanctions immediately after these talks has cast a cloud of uncertainty over this positive start.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attended this high-level meeting from the Iranian side, while the American side was led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. The presence of US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper in official photos released by Oman caught the world’s attention, indicating that aspects of security and military protection were also discussed in the talks. It is noteworthy that just before this talk, US President Donald Trump had warned that if Iran does not take a tough stance on the issue of nuclear deal and human rights, then the option of military action is open. At the same time, the Iranian Foreign Minister clarified that his country is doing diplomacy with open eyes and has not forgotten the military incidents of the past.
Iran has submitted a proposal to the US through Oman, which is being considered an attempt to avert the current crisis. Iran’s stance remained very strict and clear in this negotiation; He made it clear that he was only willing to discuss his nuclear programme. Iran has set a condition to keep issues like its ballistic missile program, regional influence and domestic politics out of the agenda of talks. In contrast, Washington wants a comprehensive agreement that also covers Iran’s missile technology and human rights issues. The most controversial aspect of this diplomatic exercise was the new sanctions imposed by the US immediately after the talks. The US has blacklisted 14 ships transporting Iranian oil and several related companies. The White House alleges that Iran uses money from oil exports to spread international instability and repress its citizens. Additionally, President Trump has signed a new executive order threatening to impose significant tariffs on countries that continue to trade with Iran. Diplomatic experts believe that this dual policy of dialogue and sanctions is part of the strategy to put maximum pressure on Iran, but it remains to be seen whether Iran will attend the next meeting with these conditions.