US, Iran Hold 4th Talks as Trump Demands Nuclear Shutdown
Bloomberg and other sources have cited Iran's Nournews to report the resumption of Iran-US nuclear talks set for Sunday (May 11), according to an unnamed officials.
This will be the fourth round of talks, scheduled to take place in Oman's capital Muscat, amid fears that nuclear dialogue between Iran and the Trump administration was stalling.
The timing and location are interesting, given that Oman is in southern Arabia, and not too far away there is a war on in the Red Sea region, and Israel has ramped up airstrikes on Yemen, targeting Houthi leadership and infrastructure. Israel on Tuesday targeted the country's civilian aviation hub – Sanaa international airport. This came after the Iran-backed Houthis launched a ballistic missile on Israel's Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv.
Both Israel and the US have put Iran on notice related to the Houthis, alleging that Houthi military decisions are ultimately made in Tehran, something which Iranian leaders have rejected.
President Trump meanwhile issued some fresh and provocative statements during a 'Meet the Press' interview which aired Sunday.
He for the first time spelled out that negotiations with Iran are aimed at achieving 'full dismantlement' of Tehran's nuclear program.
'Total dismantlement. Yes, that is all I would accept,' Trump told show host Kristen Welker. Ever since Trump during his first administration pulled out of the JCPOA nuclear deal in April 2018, Iran has steadily increased its enriched uranium stockpiles.
The Islamic Republic has, however, consistently stressed it only seeks peaceful nuclear energy development for the needs of its large domestic populace.
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Also read: Houthis Confirm Ceasefire As Trump Essentially Declares 'Mission Accomplished'
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