Khaberni - After U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio confirmed today, Wednesday, that Washington is ready to meet with Iran on Friday, indicating that the location is under study, U.S. officials announced that plans for talks with Tehran are collapsing, according to the site "Axios".
Two U.S. officials reported that the United States informed Iran today, Wednesday, of its rejection of Tehran's demands to change the location and format of the talks scheduled for Friday.
They also explained that Washington considered the request to change the venue of the talks from Turkey to Oman, but decided today, Wednesday, to reject it.
A senior U.S. official said, "We told them: it's either this or nothing, and they replied: okay, then nothing."
The official also added that the United States is prepared to hold the talks this week or next week if Iran agrees to return to the previously agreed formula.
He continued: "We want to reach a real agreement quickly, or else we will start looking at other options," referring to Trump's threats of military action.
In the same context, officials reported that White House envoy Steve Whitcov and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and advisor, are expected to head to Qatar on Thursday to hold talks with the Prime Minister regarding the Iranian file, before returning later to the United States without meeting the Iranian side.
In the meantime, Israeli Channel 12 reported that the talks between Iran and the United States on Friday have been canceled.
On the other hand, an Iranian official told Reuters that Iran is ready to hold talks with the U.S. on nuclear issues only.
He also continued, "Washington's insistence on non-nuclear issues jeopardizes the talks."
The United States and Iran had agreed to hold talks on Friday in Istanbul, with other countries from the Middle East participating as observers.
However, Iran announced today, Wednesday, through official news agencies, that the talks between Iran and the United States will be held in the Omani capital, Muscat, with the participation of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and American envoy Steve Whitcov.
It was also mentioned that the negotiations will follow a similar format to previous rounds. While the negotiations will focus only on the nuclear file and the lifting of sanctions imposed on Iran, without addressing other issues such as the missile program, which is a priority for the United States and countries in the region.
Iran confirmed its desire to reach a diplomatic solution, emphasizing the necessity that the negotiations focus only on the nuclear file, rejecting any negotiations on its missile program or defense capabilities.
Washington and Tehran agreed to conduct talks after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened military action against Iran, while Tehran promised a decisive response to any attack targeting it.
