Sixth round of Iran-US nuclear talks to be held in Oman
Iran and the US will hold a sixth round of negotiations over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme this Sunday in Oman, the sultanate's foreign minister has said.
The announcement by Oman's foreign minister Badr al-Busaidi comes as the US is drawing down the presence of staffers who are not deemed essential to operations in the Middle East and their loved ones due to the potential for regional unrest.
Meanwhile, there have been warnings that ships could be targeted in regional waters over the tensions.
Mr al-Busaidi made the announcement on the social platform X.
'I am pleased to confirm the 6th round of Iran US talks will be held in Muscat this Sunday the 15th,' he wrote.
I am pleased to confirm the 6th round of Iran US talks will be held in Muscat this Sunday the 15th. — Badr Albusaidi - بدر البوسعيدي (@badralbusaidi) June 12, 2025
Iran for days had been saying there would be talks, but Oman, which is serving as the mediator, had not confirmed them until now.
There was no immediate comment from the US.
Reaching a deal is one of the several diplomatic priorities being juggled by US President Donald Trump and his trusted friend and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
An accord could see the US lift some of its crushing economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for it drastically limiting or ending its enrichment of uranium.
A failure to get a deal could see tensions further spike in a Middle East on edge over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.
Iran's economy, long ailing, could enter a freefall that could worsen the simmering unrest at home.
Israel or the US might carry out long-threatened air strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and Tehran may decide to fully end its co-operation with the United Nations' nuclear watchdog and rush toward a bomb.
Iran and the US have held previous talks in Muscat and Rome.
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Irish Daily Mirror
16 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Huge explosions heard booming across city as Israel attacks Iran
The head of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard had died following a major Israeli attack. General Hossein Salami, one other top Guard official, and two nuclear scientists have been killed in several strikes on nuclear and military sites across Tehran, Iran's capital. Explosions have been heard thundering across the city this morning. Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has confirmed his country is carrying out "preemptive strikes" in a major escalation of geopolitical trouble in the Middle East. Israel has also declared a state of emergency, which is likely to order citizens "to stay in protected areas" incase of retaliation. An Israeli attack on Iran has also set the headquarters of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard ablaze, state television reports. Iran's Revolutionary Guard, created after its 1979 Islamic Revolution, is one of the main power centres within the country's theocracy. It also controls Iran's arsenal of ballistic missiles, which it has used to attack Israel twice during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. For live updates, follow our blog below... The Prime Minister will chair a COBRA meeting with his cabinet and senior officials later today, Downing Street has confirmed. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has replaced two top military commanders killed in a wave of Israeli strikes on Friday. State TV said he tapped Gen Abdolrahim Mousavi as the new head of the armed forces, replacing Gen Mohammad Bagheri. Mousavi was previously the top army commander. Khamenei chose Mohammad Pakpour to lead the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, replacing Gen Hossein Salami. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has described Israel's missile strikes on key military and nuclear targets as a "declaration of war". He also said he believed the White House had been involved in the operation, and that Israel could not have carried out the strikes without US permission and coordination. Israel's Mossad spy agency smuggled weapons into Iran ahead of last night strikes to target the country from within, sources have claimed. Two security officials spoke on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press said a base for launching explosive drones was established inside Iran. These drones were activated during the attack to target missile launchers at an Iranian base near Tehran, while precision weapons were also planted near surface-to-air missile systems. The Israeli defence ministry has not yet confirmed the reports. In the last half hour, residents of Tabriz in northwestern Iran have reported missile strikes in the area. Images shared on social media show a large plume of smoke on the outskirts of the city. همین الان یه حمله دیگه ، حاشیه #تبریز NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has called on Israel's Western allies this morning to press for an end to the strikes. Speaking in Stockholm alongside Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, he said: "This was a unilateral action by Israel. So I think it is crucial for many allies, including the United States, to work as we speak to de-escalate." Asked whether a nuclear clash might be imminent in the region, Rutte said: "No, we are not close." A Labour minister has said the Government is urging for "constraint, restraint and de-escalation" after Israeli strikes targeted Iran's nuclear programme. Industry minister Sarah Jones was grilled in a TV interview this morning as she urged for "calm" at this "dangerous moment" - echoing the Prime Minister's call for "all parties to step back". Earlier, Prime Minister Keir Starmer "urged all parties to step back" after the Israeli strikes targeting Iran's nuclear programme - and there's been more reaction from the government and opposition this morning. Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the exchange of fire as "concerning", and said stability in the Middle East was "vital" for global security. Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: "People across the UK and the world will be fearing the break-out of widespread regional conflict in the Middle East, following Israel's strikes overnight. "The UK must work with allies to contain Iran's nuclear ambitions through diplomacy, not war. "The UK Government should urge both Israel and Iran not to do anything that will escalate the situation any further. "International leadership is needed now." Israeli media is now reporting that all Iranian drones fired in retaliation for last night's attacks have been intercepted successfully. Air raid warnings in place in a number of towns and cities have now been lifted. Talks between US and Iranian officials over Tehran's nuclear programme had been due to take place this weekend. This week, Donald Trump had warned of the risk of a "massive conflict" soon if the discussions, aimed at halting Iran's development of weapons-grade nuclear technology, broke down. But following the missile strikes overnight by Israel, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the White House was "not involved" in the operation and said the country had acted "unilaterally". The Israeli military says it has completed a widespread attack on air defences in western Iran. A spokesperson said this morning that it had destroyed dozens of radar installations and surface-to-air missile launchers. The head of Iran's atomic agency chief has told state media this morning that Natanz nuclear facility has been completely destroyed following an Israeli missile strike last night. The site, which is officially used for uranium enrichment, forms an integral part of Iran's controversial nuclear programme. Israel's military says it has started intercepting Iranian drones this morning with its air defence system. Earlier, the military said Iran had launched more than 100 drones at Israel in retaliation for strikes on Tehran and other cities. An Israeli official said the interceptions are taking place outside of Israeli territory. Senior figures in Iran have already begun pointing the finger at the US for last night's missile strikes by Israel, though White House officials have said they were "not involved". Earlier, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel took "unilateral action against Iran", and warned Tehran not to target U.S. forces in retaliation. In the last half hour, Jordanian state media has said the country's Air Force is intercepting missiles and drones in its air space. We've now recieved video from the Iranian capital of ran, showing residential buildings and cars burnt out following the missile strikes overnight. Photographs are beginning to emerge from the Iranian capital, Tehran, showing some of the damage from last night's missile strikes by Israel. Iranian authorities have vowed to retaliate this morning, and are said to have launched 100 drones towards Israel. Some of these have already been intercepted over neighbouring states. We've already heard that Air India has been forced to cancel and divert flights due to the situation in the Middle East - and in the last few moments, Emirates have also confirmed major changes to their flight schedules. An Air India spokesman said: 'Due to the emerging situation in Iran, the subsequent closure of its airspace and in view of the safety of our passengers, some of the Air India flights are either being diverted or are returning to their origin.'They gave details of some of the flights affected, including Flight AI130 - London Heathrow-Mumbai - which was diverted to AI129 – Mumbai-London Heathrow - and AI119 - Mumbai-New York returned to AI2018 – London Heathrow-Delhi - was diverted to AI102 -- New York-Delhi - was diverted to Sharjah, while AI116 – New York-Mumbai to Jeddah. Multiple sites around Iran were hit by Israeli forces last night, including Iran's main nuclear enrichment facility, where black smoke could be seen rising into the air. The leader of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Gen Hossein Salami, was confirmed dead, as was the chief of staff of Iranian armed forces, Gen. Mohammad Bagheri. The missile strikes - which took advantage of Iran's weakened air defences following a previous military exchange last year - were distributed across the country, including the capital Tehran, Tabriz, Kermanshah, and Isfahan-Natanz Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said he was "concerned" to learn of Israeli strikes targeting Iran's nuclear programme overnight."Stability in the Middle East is vital for global security," he said in a post on X."I'm concerned to see reports of strikes overnight. Further escalation is a serious threat to peace & stability in the region and in no one's interest."This is a dangerous moment & I urge all parties to show restraint." Air India - who are still dealing with the fallout of a major air disaster yesterday - has diverted 11 flights and returned another five to the airports they departed from after Iran closed its airspace in response to the Israeli strikes. Among the flights affected was an Air India flight from Mumbai to London, which was forced to make a mid-air to flight-tracking platform Flightradar24, the Iranian airspace is now completely departed from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Friday morning but turned back halfway through and returned to Mumbai, according to real-time data from airport spokesman said: 'This was undertaken as a precaution because of the Iranian airspace closure.' In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the International Atomic Energy Agency said it was "closely monitoring the deeply concerning situation in Iran". The watchdog confirmed that Iran's primary nuclear enrichment site at Natanz had been hit in the strikes overnight, and said they were in touch with authorities over radiation levels in the surrounding area. Keir Starmer has described reports of new hostilities between Israel and Iran as "concerning" and has urged "all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently", adding that "now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy". Israeli military spokesman Brig Gen Effie Deffrin said that 200 Israeli fighter jets participated in the operation overnight, striking some 100 targets. He said the attacks were continuing today. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has launched around 100 drones towards Israel, according to the IDF. Overnight, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz and the country's ballistic missile programme, as well as top nuclear scientists and officials. Israel's waves of aerial strikes on Iran has claimed the life of another leading figure in their military. Iranian media has confirmed that General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, was also killed in Israel's continued bombardment. Bagheri has been identified as a key figure in the IRGC Command Network, which conducts covert operations inside and outside Iran. President Donald Trump was aware of the strikes beforehand, according to reports. Mr Trump: 'Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back." The latter was a reference to some of the Iranian leaders who were killed tonight by Israel. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel took 'unilateral action against Iran' and that Israel advised the US that it believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defense. "We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," Rubio said in a statement released by the White House. Mr Trump is scheduled to attend a meeting of his National Security Council on Friday in the White House Situation Room, were he is expected to discuss the conflict with top advisers. It is not clear if he plans to make public remarks on the strikes. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Friday that Israel will face a 'severe punishment' over its attack on the country. Khamenei issued a statement carried by the state-run IRNA news agency. It confirmed that top military officials and scientists had been killed in the attack. Israel 'opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to a crime in our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centers,' Khamenei said. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is "closely monitoring the deeply concerning situation in Iran," it said Friday. "The IAEA … can confirm Natanz site among targets. The Agency is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels. We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country," Director-General Rafael Grossi said.
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Timeline of explosive tensions between Tel Aviv and Tehran
Israel and Iran opened a new chapter in their long history of conflict when Israel launched a major attack with strikes early Friday that set off explosions in the Iranian capital of Tehran. Israel said it targeted nuclear and military facilities. Iranian state media reported the leader of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and two top nuclear scientists were killed.
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Oil prices soar after Israel's strike on Iran alarms market
Oil prices jumped more than $4 a barrel today, hitting their highest price in almost five months after Israel struck Iran, dramatically escalating tensions in the Middle East and raising worries about disrupted oil supplies. Brent crude futures jumped $4.60, or 6.63%, to $73.96 a barrel this morning after hitting an intraday high of $78.50, the highest since January 27. US West Texas Intermediate crude was up $4.99, or 7.33%, at $73.03 a barrel after hitting a high of $77.62, its highest since January 21. Today's gains were the largest intraday moves for both contracts since 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine, causing energy prices to spike. Israel said it targeted Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders at the start of what it warned would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon. "A key question is whether the Iranian retaliation will be limited to Israel or if the leadership will seek to internationalise the cost of the action by targeting bases and critical economic infrastructure across the wider region," RBC Capital analyst Helima Croft said in a note. Several oil traders in Singapore said it was still too early to say if the strike will affect Middle East oil shipments as it will depend on how Iran retaliates and if the US will intervene. "It's too early to tell but I think the market is worried about shutting off of the Strait of Hormuz," one of the traders said. Barclays analyst Amarpreet Singh said the attack has alarmed oil markets although these attacks have had no effect on oil market fundamentals so far. "In a worst-case scenario, the conflict could expand to other key oil and gas producers in the region, and shipping," he said in a note. The $10 a barrel price gain in the past three days had yet to reflect any drop in Iranian oil production, let alone an escalation that could involve disruption to energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, he said. About a fifth of the world's total oil consumption passes through the Strait or some 18-19 million bpd of oil, condensate and fuel. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel will receive "harsh punishment" following the attack that he said killed several military commanders. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called Israel's strikes against Iran a "unilateral action" and said Washington was not involved while also urging Tehran not to target US interests or personnel in the region. RBC's Croft said: "If oil is caught in the cross-fire, we anticipate that President Trump will seek OPEC spare barrels to try to keep a lid on prices and shield US consumers from the economic impact of the Middle East conflict." In other markets, stocks dived in early Asian trade, led by a selloff in US futures, while investors scurried to safe havens such as gold and the Swiss franc.
