Background on the Negotiations and Key Players
The European Union (EU) and Iran have called off the scheduled nuclear talks set for Sunday, according to Oman, which has been acting as a mediator between the United States and Iran in these negotiations regarding Tehran’s nuclear program. These discussions began in April, with then-U.S. President Donald Trump threatening military action if the negotiations failed.
The Role of Oman and Key Issues
Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr Albusaidi, confirmed that the talks between Iran and the U.S., initially planned for Sunday in Muscat, will not take place. However, he emphasized that diplomacy and dialogue remain the only path to lasting peace.
A significant hurdle in preparing for the Sunday meeting was Iran’s continued uranium enrichment, which has raised concerns among the United States, Israel, and other Western countries. These nations accuse Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, an allegation that Tehran strongly denies.
Impact of Israel’s Attack on Iranian Facilities
Israel’s large-scale attack on Iran’s military and nuclear facilities on Friday has cast doubt on the future of these negotiations. An anonymous U.S. official told AFP that, although there will be no meeting on Sunday, the U.S. remains committed to the talks and hopes Iran will return to the negotiation table soon.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, however, declared on Saturday that Iran will not negotiate its nuclear program as long as Israel continues attacking its territory.
Iran’s Stance and Communication with France
During a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, Pezeshkian reiterated Iran’s support for diplomacy but stated that it would not accept “irrational demands under pressure” or participate in negotiations while Israel continues its attacks. According to a statement from the Iranian presidency, Pezeshkian emphasized that “Iran will not yield to unreasonable pressure and will not engage in negotiations while the Zionist regime persists with its aggression.”
Macron later posted on X that he had urged Pezeshkian to “return quickly to the negotiation table.”
Key Questions and Answers
- What are the scheduled nuclear talks between Iran and the U.S.? The negotiations, which were set to take place on Sunday in Muscat under Oman’s mediation, aimed to address concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
- Why were the talks canceled? The large-scale attack by Israel on Iran’s military and nuclear facilities on Friday has led to the cancellation of the talks, as Iran insists it will not negotiate while under attack.
- What is the stance of the United States and other Western countries? The U.S. and its allies remain committed to dialogue and hope for Iran’s return to the negotiation table, despite the recent developments.
- How has Iran responded to the attack and cancellation of talks? Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that Iran will not negotiate its nuclear program while Israel continues attacking its territory and has refused to participate in the talks scheduled for Sunday.
