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In a bid to ease the strained relations between the United States and Iran, officials from both nations are set to meet in Oman this Friday. This diplomatic engagement aims to mitigate the prevailing tensions. However, the agenda of these discussions remains a contentious issue. While Iran is firm on focusing solely on its nuclear program, the United States is pushing to also address human rights concerns and Iran’s missile capabilities.
Expressing concern over the escalating conflict, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently highlighted the international community’s unease during his diplomatic visit to the Gulf region. During a press conference in Doha, he urged Iran to cease its aggressive actions and contribute to achieving stability in the Middle East.
The upcoming dialogue occurs amidst a backdrop of heightened hostilities, particularly following Iran’s severe suppression of recent anti-government protests. These demonstrations represent the most significant challenge to the Iranian regime since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
At a press conference in Doha, the US ally urged Iran to end what he called aggression and help bring stability to the region.
The dialogue comes at a time of heightened hostility between the countries and follows Iran’s brutal crackdown on anti-government demonstrations, the most serious protests against the regime since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
There has been a significant US military build-up in the Middle East in recent weeks, and an Iranian drone was shot down on Tuesday after the US claimed it “aggressively” approached an aircraft carrier.
The discussions were initially to be held in Türkiye, but Iran pushed for a venue change because it wanted a continuation of previous talks in Oman that solely focused on its nuclear program.
Iran says its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes, while the US — which struck Iranian nuclear targets last year — and Israel have accused it of seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is expected to take part in the Oman talks, along with US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, officials said.
“If the Iranians want to meet, we’re ready,” US secretary of state Marco Rubio said on Wednesday.
Rubio said the talks needed to include the range of Iran’s ballistic missiles, its support for armed proxy groups and human rights, in addition to nuclear issues.
However, senior Iranian officials said Iran’s missile program was “off the table” and US insistence on broaching other subjects would jeopardise discussions.
Doubts were raised if the talks would even take place, with leaders of both countries trading barbs.
Asked on Wednesday if Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei should be worried, US President Donald Trump said: “I would say he should be very worried. Yeah, he should be.”
Araghchi left for Oman on Thursday. His spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran would engage “with authority and with the aim of reaching a fair, mutually acceptable and dignified understanding on the nuclear issue”.
“We hope the American side will also participate in this process with responsibility, realism and seriousness,” Baghaei added.
Last week, Araghchi warned that Iran’s armed forces had “their fingers on the trigger” in response to any potential aggression.
— With additional reporting by Reuters news agency
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