'Difficult but useful': US and Iran end latest round of nuclear talks
Negotiators from the United States and Iran concluded a fourth round of nuclear talks on Sunday in what Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei described as "difficult but useful."
According to Baghai, both sides were committed to finding "reasonable & realistic ways to address the differences" during the three hours of talks on Iran's nuclear programme in the Omani capital Muscat.
Another round of negotiations is planned and will be coordinated and announced by Oman, the spokesman said on social media platform X.
Tehran asserts that it does not seek its own nuclear weapons programme, but categorically rejects the US demand that it abandon its civilian nuclear programme – and in particular its enrichment of uranium.
Oman is mediating between the two countries, which have repeatedly issued military threats against each other in recent years.
Sunday's round of nuclear talks, originally scheduled for May 4 in Rome, had been postponed due to "logistical reasons." Experts attributed the delay to differences and initial difficulties in the negotiating positions.
The Sunday talks took place ahead of US President Donald Trump's Middle East trip next week, which sees him visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
23 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Israel Says Goal Is Not Iran Regime Change as Trump Vetoes Ayatollah Strike
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said in an interview with CNN on Sunday said that his country's goal is not regime change even as Israel's forces expand their strikes in Iran. The admission follows the revelation that President Donald Trump had vetoed Israel's plan to target Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Reuters. Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Department of State for comment outside of normal business hours through submission form. Why It Matters Israel struck Iran with a wave of airstrikes overnight on Thursday U.S. time, which it described as a "preemptive" offensive based on "high-quality intelligence" that Iran was close to developing a nuclear weapon. The strikes hit a variety of Iranian targets, including military personnel and nuclear scientists, in what Israeli leadership has called "Operation Rising Lion." Israel's strikes have killed at least 406 people in Iran and wounded another 654, according to a human rights group that has long tracked the country, Washington-based Human Rights Activists. Iran's government has not offered overall casualty figures. Israel has said 14 people have been killed since Friday and 390 have been wounded, the Associated Press reported. Khamenei condemned the attacks and promised to retaliate, saying Israel had "sealed for itself a bitter and painful destiny." Iran's military vowed a "crushing response," according to the state-run IRNA news agency, and fired salvos of missiles and drones at sites and cities across Israel. Iranian officials have always denied seeking a nuclear weapon. The United States and Iran have held five rounds of negotiations regarding the country's nuclear program, with a sixth round scheduled for Sunday that ultimately did not happen as Israel and Iran each continue to carry out attacks on each other. Rocket trails are seen in the sky above the Israeli coastal city of Netanya amid a fresh barrage of Iranian missile attacks on June 15. Inset: Iranian Supreme leader Ali Khamenei during the Friday prayer... Rocket trails are seen in the sky above the Israeli coastal city of Netanya amid a fresh barrage of Iranian missile attacks on June 15. Inset: Iranian Supreme leader Ali Khamenei during the Friday prayer ceremony on October 4, 2024, in Tehran, Iran. More Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images // Iranian Leader's Press Office - Handout/Getty Images What To Know Speaking with CNN anchor Bianna Golodryga, Sa'ar insisted that his country's goal is not to force regime change in Iran, saying, "The security Cabinet had decided on the objectives," and that regime change "was not one of the objectives." "This is for the Iranian people to decide," Sa'ar said. "We, Israel, don't see the Iranian people as our enemies. We had great relations with Iran until 1979 until the Islamic Revolution, when a very fanatic and barbaric regime came to power. And these are the people that chant 'Death to America,' 'Death to Israel.' And they put as an objective to eliminate the State of Israel." "It's not for us to decide: That's for the Iranian people to act or to do what they want to do," Sa'ar added. "We took as an objective the nuclear program, the ballistic missiles program, the elimination program. It's all things we must stop and create the conditions for moves afterwards that also will able to achieve these objectives." When asked about what kind of advanced notice the U.S. had about the attack, Sa'ar said Israel had informed the Trump administration that "we are going to act," which occurred after the U.S. and Iran had an opportunity to reach a diplomatic solution. He accused Iran of wanting to just "waste time and continue" pushing forward their nuclear plans "even during negotiations." "Iran is in a situation of non-compliance. They breach everything they were committed to," Sa'ar said, noting that Iran's foreign minister had cancelled his interview with CNN, which would have immediately followed Sa'ar's own. "After all other options are gone, we must take care of our security and of our existence. Of course, we informed the US as friends and allies that we are going to operate," he said. Meanwhile, Trump wrote in a Saturday social media post that the U.S. "had not nothing to do with the attack on Iran, tonight." Iran has said it believes the U.S. is involved. Israeli officials have reportedly asked the Trump administration to join in on efforts to attack Iran, with Iran's nuclear program having long been a focal point of U.S. and Israeli concern. Trump talked to ABC News' Rachel Scott on Sunday about the matter, saying, "We're not involved in it. It's possible we could get involved. But we are not at this moment involved." Trump Rejected Israeli Plan to Kill Khamenei Reports on Sunday from the Wall Street Journal and Reuters revealed that Israel had attempted to execute a plan to take out Khamenei, but that Trump put a stop to it. Both outlets cited unnamed senior U.S. administration officials. One of the sources told Reuters: "Have the Iranians killed an American yet? No. Until they do we're not even talking about going after the political leadership," underscoring the U.S. desire to keep distance from the conflict. An unnamed U.S. official on Sunday told CNN that Trump did indeed reject the plan to assassinate Khamenei. Israel had the chance to kill Khamenei, but Trump opposed the plan, which prevented Israel from pursuing the opportunity. A second source told the outlet that Trump's opposition comes from a desire to avoid another protracted and involved war in the Middle East. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an interview on Sunday with Fox News said: "There's so many false reports of conversations that never happened, and I'm not going to get into that." He added: "But I can tell you, I think that we do what we need to do, we'll do what we need to do. And I think the United States knows what is good for the United States." Photo taken after an explosion in downtown Tehran amid Israel's two-day campaign of strikes against Iran on June 15. Photo taken after an explosion in downtown Tehran amid Israel's two-day campaign of strikes against Iran on June 15. Khoshiran/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images What People Are Saying President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: "Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal, just like I got India and Pakistan to make, in that case by using TRADE with the United States to bring reason, cohesion, and sanity into the talks with two excellent leaders who were able to quickly make a decision and STOP! Also, during my first term, Serbia and Kosovo were going at it hot and heavy, as they have for many decades, and this long time conflict was ready to break out into WAR. I stopped it (Biden has hurt the longer term prospects with some very stupid decisions, but I will fix it, again!). Another case is Egypt and Ethiopia, and their fight over a massive dam that is having an effect on the magnificent Nile River. There is peace, at least for now, because of my intervention, and it will stay that way! Likewise, we will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran! Many calls and meetings now taking place. I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that's OK, the PEOPLE understand. MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!" Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video address on Friday: "More is on the [Tehran] regime doesn't know what hit them. They don't know [what] will hit them." What Happens Next? Israel and Iran have shown no indication of decreasing their exchange of missiles, with more to follow as the U.S. seeks de-escalation and an end to the current conflict. This article included reporting by The Associated Press.
an hour ago
Israel-Iran live updates: Trump rejected Israeli plan to kill Iran's supreme leader, per US officials
The Israeli Police said Sunday there had been "multiple confirmed fatalities." 4:24 Aerial attacks between Israel and Iran continued overnight into Sunday, marking a third day of strikes following Israel's Friday attack. That surprise strike hit the heart of the Iran's nuclear program, killing several nuclear scientists as well as high-ranking military leaders, according to Israeli officials. The U.S. did not provide any military assistance or have any involvement in Israel's Friday strike, a U.S. official told ABC News. 60 Updates Jun 13, 2025, 1:06 PM EDT Delta cancels all flights from New York-JFK to Tel Aviv through August Delta Air lines has paused flights to Tel Aviv from New York-JFK through August 31 in response to the ongoing conflict in the region. "Customers impacted by flight cancellations will receive notifications via the Fly Delta app and contact information listed in their reservation as these cancellations are processed in Delta's system and may contact Delta or their travel agent for rebooking options," Delta airlines said in a statement. A travel waiver has been issued for all customers to and from Tel Aviv through Aug. 31. -ABC News' Sam Sweeney Jun 13, 2025, 12:45 PM EDT Israeli attacks in Iran are ongoing Israeli forces' attacks on Iran are ongoing, according to the Israel Defense Forces Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir. "We are continuing with full force and at a high pace in order to meet the goals we have set for ourselves," Zamir said in a statement Friday evening local time. "We are continuing with the two main efforts we set for ourselves – the defensive effort and the offensive effort," Zamir said. "I remind everyone that we are facing a dangerous and complex enemy, and we must maintain a very high level of readiness." -ABC News' Jordana Miller Israel preparing for more possible Iranian retaliation, Netanyahu says The Israeli attack "created a state of chaos in Iran," but Israel needs to assume "there will be an attack against us," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement Friday evening local time. "It could be an attack in very severe waves," Netanyahu said, in a statement made in Hebrew. Israel is preparing for more potential Iranian retaliation, he said. "Citizens of Israel, you need to understand, do not be euphoric," Netanyahu said. "We informed the Americans in advance. They knew about the attack. What the U.S. will do now I leave to the president. Trump makes decisions independently," Netanyahu said. Netanyahu said he targeted Iran's nuclear facilities because "if Iran has nuclear weapons, we won't be able to be here, so that's the first target." Netanyahu said he gave his military the directive to attack Iran after former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in Lebanon in September 2024. Netanyahu originally set the date of the attack for the end of April, but said it was "postponed" for "various reasons." Netanyahu said he wanted to attack Iran twice before but was unable to get a political majority to support the attack. -ABC News' Jordana Miller Jun 13, 2025, 12:17 PM EDT State Dept. warns of missiles, drones or rockets over Iraqi airspace The U.S. Embassy in Iraq is warning Americans of potential missiles, drones or rockets flying over Iraqi airspace, instructing them to "maintain maximum awareness" and seek cover in the event of an incident. This alert is similar to another the State Department pushed out earlier this morning warning embassy personnel to shelter in place, which has since been canceled. The department has also reissued an alert telling Americans not to travel to Iran, but Iran has long been a level 4 country -- meaning Americans should not travel there under any circumstances and the State Department has repeatedly stressed this well in advance of last night's strikes.
Los Angeles Times
an hour ago
- Los Angeles Times
Timeline of tensions and hostilities between Israel and Iran
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, killing Iran's top military and nuclear scientists. Israel's attack comes as tensions have escalated over Iran's rapidly advancing nuclear program, which Israel sees as a threat to its existence. Here is a timeline of some significant events in the hostilities between the two countries: 1967 — Iran takes possession of its Tehran Research Reactor under the U.S.'s 'Atoms for Peace' program. 1979 — Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, fatally ill, flees Iran as popular protests against him surge. Pahlavi maintained economic and security ties with Israel. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returns to Tehran, and the Islamic Revolution sweeps him to power. Students seize the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, beginning the 444-day hostage crisis. Iran's nuclear program goes fallow under international pressure. Iran's new theocracy identifies Israel as a major enemy. August 2002 — Western intelligence services and an Iranian opposition group reveal Iran's secret Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. June 2003 — Britain, France and Germany engage Iran in nuclear negotiations. October 2003 — Iran suspends uranium enrichment. February 2006 — Iran announces it will restart uranium enrichment following the election of hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Britain, France and Germany walk out of stalled negotiations. June 2009 — Iran's disputed presidential election sees Ahmadinejad reelected despite fraud allegations, sparking Green Movement pro-democracy protests and a violent government crackdown. October 2009 — Under President Obama, the U.S. and Iran open a secret back channel for messages in Oman. 2010 — The Stuxnet computer virus is discovered and widely believed to be a joint U.S.-Israeli creation. The virus disrupted and destroyed Iranian centrifuges. July 14, 2015 — World powers and Iran announce a long-term, comprehensive nuclear agreement that limits Tehran's enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. 2018 — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel obtained tens of thousands of pages of data showing Iran covered up its nuclear program before signing a deal with world powers in 2015. An ex-Mossad chief confirms the information was obtained by more than a dozen non-Israeli agents from safes in Tehran in 2018. President Trump unilaterally withdraws from Iran's nuclear deal with world powers. 2020 — Alleged Israeli attacks against Iran's nuclear program are stepped up significantly after the disintegration of the 2015 nuclear deal meant to keep Iran from developing nuclear weapons. July 2020 — A mysterious explosion tears apart a centrifuge production plant at Iran's Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. Iran blames the attack on Israel. November 2020 — A top Iranian military nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, is killed by a remote-controlled machine gun while traveling in a car outside Tehran. A top Iranian security official accuses Israel of using 'electronic devices' to remotely kill the scientist, who founded Iran's military nuclear program in the 2000s. April 11, 2021 — An attack targets Iran's underground nuclear facility in Natanz. Iran blames Israel, which does not claim responsibility, but Israeli media widely report the government orchestrated a cyberattack that caused a blackout at the facility. April 16, 2021 — Iran begins enriching uranium up to 60%, its highest purity ever and a technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%. June 2022 — Iran accuses Israel of poisoning two nuclear scientists in different cities within three days of each other, though circumstances remain unclear. Oct. 7, 2023 — Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip storm into Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 others hostage. This begins the most intense war in history between Israel and Hamas, which has left tens of thousands of Palestinians dead in Gaza. Iran, which has armed Hamas, offers support to the militants. Feb. 14, 2024 — An Israeli sabotage attack causes explosions on an Iranian natural gas pipeline running from Iran's western Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province to cities on the Caspian Sea. April 1, 2024 — An Israeli airstrike demolishes Iran's consulate in Damascus, Syria, killing 16 people, including two Iranian generals. April 14, 2024 — Iran launches an unprecedented missile and drone attack on Israel, firing more than 300 missiles and attack drones in response to the Israeli airstrike in Damascus. Working with a U.S.-led international coalition, Israel intercepts much of the incoming fire. April 19, 2024 — A suspected Israeli strike hits an air defense system near an airport in Isfahan, Iran. July 31, 2024 — Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh is assassinated by an apparent Israeli airstrike during a visit to Tehran. Israel had pledged to kill Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders over the Oct. 7 attack. Sept. 27, 2024 — Israeli airstrike kills Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Formed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members who went to Lebanon in 1982 to fight invading Israeli forces, Hezbollah was the first group that Iran backed and used to export its brand of political Islam. Oct. 1, 2024 — Iran launches its second direct attack on Israel. With assistance from a U.S.-led coalition, Israel shoots down most of the missiles. Oct. 16, 2024 — Israel kills Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in the Gaza Strip. Oct. 26, 2024 — Israel openly attacks Iran for the first time, striking air defense systems and sites associated with its missile program. April 30, 2025 — Iran executes a man it said worked for Israel's Mossad foreign intelligence agency and played a role in the killing of Revolutionary Guard Col. Hassan Sayyad Khodaei in Tehran on May 22, 2022. Friday — Israel launches blistering attacks on the heart of Iran's nuclear and military structure, deploying warplanes and drones previously smuggled into the country to assault key facilities and kill top generals and scientists. Saturday — Israel expands its airstrikes to include targets in Iran's energy industry as Iranian missile and drone attacks continue on Israel. Sunday — Israel unleashes airstrikes across Iran for a third day and threatens even greater force as some Iranian missiles evade Israeli air defenses to strike buildings in the heart of the country. Planned talks on Iran's nuclear program in Oman between the United States and Tehran, which could provide an off-ramp, are called off.
