The planned nuclear talks between the USA and Iran scheduled for Sunday in Oman have been canceled due to increased military actions between Israel and Iran. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Bussaidi emphasized the importance of diplomacy for lasting peace. Escalating attacks and military responses contribute to the complexity of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, exacerbated by the 2018 withdrawal from the Vienna pact by the Trump administration.
A scheduled round of nuclear talks between the USA and Iran, set for this Sunday in Muscat, has been canceled amidst escalating military tensions involving Israel and Iran. This announcement came from Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Bussaidi on Platform X, who underscored that diplomacy is still the vital pathway to achieve enduring peace. Oman has positioned itself as a mediator in these crucial discussions.
The backdrop to this cancellation is significant military activity: since Friday morning, Israel has been aggressively targeting Iranian nuclear installations. This offensive, which includes attacks on military personnel, defense sites, and urban areas, has incited severe reactions, with Iran perceiving these airstrikes as acts of war. On Saturday, in response, Iran launched a barrage of hundreds of missiles and drones aimed at Israel, some reaching the heavily populated region around Tel Aviv.
Nuclear discussions between Iran and the USA had been rekindled in mid-April, after years of tension and hostility. Western nations, alongside Israel, express deep concerns that Iran’s nuclear ambitions veer toward weapon development, while Iran asserts that its nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful civilian use.
The issue of the nuclear program reaches back to 2015, when Iran agreed to limits on its nuclear activities under the Vienna nuclear agreement, which was brokered by world powers including China, Russia, the US, France, Germany, and the UK. However, the situation drastically changed in 2018 when former President Trump unilaterally exited this agreement, imposing strict sanctions that have complicated negotiations ever since.
The animosity between the USA and Iran dates back to 1979, after the Iranian revolution, that saw the US embassy in Tehran seized by students, effectively halting diplomatic relations. Since then, the USA has consistently been seen as the principal adversary of the Iranian regime. This long-standing rivalry complicates any diplomatic efforts, especially against a backdrop of ongoing military confrontations.
In summary, the anticipated nuclear talks between the USA and Iran have been scrapped due to heightened tensions following significant Israeli military actions. Despite the cancellation, Omani officials maintain that peaceful dialogue is essential for resolution. The history of hostilities between the two nations, particularly post-1979, further complicates the already tense situation surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, especially in light of past agreements and their dissolution under the previous US administration.
Original Source: www.bluewin.ch
