Latest news with #BadrAlBusaidi
Arab News
4 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
Oman spearheads push to revive US-Iran nuclear talks
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi's lightning visit to Tehran on May 31 has injected fresh momentum into the stalled US-Iran nuclear negotiations, as the Gulf sultanate positions itself as the crucial mediator in preventing regional conflict while advancing diplomatic solutions. The brief but high-stakes visit saw Al-Busaidi deliver an American proposal to Iranian officials regarding Tehran's nuclear program, setting the stage for a pivotal sixth round of negotiations scheduled for later this month under Omani supervision. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded via social media, stating his government would 'examine the proposal and respond according to our principles and national interests.' The diplomatic exchange followed closely on from President Masoud Pezeshkian's two-day state visit to Muscat, where he held extensive talks with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq on political, economic and bilateral cooperation matters. He also met with high-level Omani officials, businessmen and the Iranian community in Oman. Oman is pursuing tangible outcomes from the current US-Iran diplomatic process through intensive bilateral engagement and coordination with key Arab nations to build regional consensus around negotiated solutions. The sultanate views dialogue as the only viable mechanism for bridging Washington-Tehran divisions, recognizing that diplomatic breakdown could trigger dangerous escalation dynamics. Should negotiations collapse or reach an impasse, the resulting tensions might provide Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with the political and strategic justification to authorize military action against Iran's nuclear infrastructure. Such strikes would risk unleashing a broader Middle Eastern conflict with catastrophic and unpredictable ramifications — a scenario Gulf Arab states are determined to prevent as they advance ambitious economic transformation initiatives that fundamentally depend on sustained regional stability and cross-border cooperation frameworks. The sultanate views dialogue as the only viable mechanism for bridging Washington-Tehran divisions Hassan Al-Mustafa Uranium enrichment remains the core obstacle frustrating diplomatic progress. American officials have sent mixed signals, alternately supporting low-level enrichment for peaceful purposes while sometimes demanding complete suspension — a position Iran categorically rejects. Araghchi has consistently maintained that enrichment capabilities represent 'fundamental national necessities,' declaring that 'the right to enrichment has always been our Foreign Ministry objective in both previous and current negotiations,' while emphasizing Iran's rejection of what it terms foreign 'hegemony.' Building on these diplomatic efforts, Oman has developed behind-the-scenes proposals that remain unpublicized, though Iranian diplomatic sources have revealed to me a 'core concept centered on temporary enrichment cessation lasting several months, with potential extension up to two or three years.' This Iranian moratorium would trigger reciprocal American concessions, including graduated sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian financial assets, creating space for sustained bilateral negotiations aimed at securing a comprehensive, lasting accord. According to the source, this framework would ensure 'Washington refrains from blocking Iranian enrichment activities within internationally sanctioned parameters for civilian nuclear applications,' representing 'a pragmatic compromise acceptable to both sides that could narrow existing gaps and avert diplomatic collapse.' Tehran appears receptive to this approach, particularly given its prior willingness to halt enrichment activities temporarily. The implementation of such measures would likely be interpreted as a confidence-building initiative demonstrating genuine commitment to peaceful resolution of the nuclear standoff. Sweeping alignment remains distant, suggesting an interim arrangement may represent the most achievable near-term outcome Hassan Al-Mustafa However, implementation faces significant technical hurdles requiring resolution. First, determining the operational status and disposition of Iran's advanced third-generation centrifuge infrastructure. Second, establishing protocols for managing Iran's substantial stockpiles of 60 percent-enriched uranium. Third, resolving uranium supply chain arrangements for Iranian reactor operations — whether through the depletion of existing reserves or negotiating external procurement agreements. And, fourth, defining the scope and structure of international monitoring mechanisms, particularly whether Tehran would accept oversight personnel beyond standard International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors. Concerning the American initiative delivered by the Omani foreign minister to Iranian officials on May 31, while official details remain classified, Axios cited a US administration source indicating the 'American proposal aims to resolve the central impasse surrounding Iran's insistence on maintaining domestic enrichment capabilities.' According to Axios, US envoy Steve Witkoff's communication to Tehran outlined a concept for 'a regional consortium operating under joint International Atomic Energy Agency and US oversight to manage uranium enrichment for civilian nuclear applications,' with the critical caveat that Washington 'insists any shared enrichment infrastructure be established outside Iranian territory.' These recommendations align with a complementary diplomatic formula proposing 'American acknowledgment of Iranian enrichment rights contingent upon Tehran's complete cessation of all enrichment activities.' The New York Times reported that 'the American document delivered to Iran consists of condensed talking points rather than a comprehensive draft accord,' indicating that sweeping US-Iranian alignment remains distant and suggesting an interim framework arrangement may represent the most achievable near-term outcome. Meanwhile, the Tehran Times emphasized in its June 1 analysis that any successful agreement must treat Tehran's core demands as fundamental rather than peripheral considerations, particularly regarding 'effective, verifiable and irreversible sanctions relief' — described as a nonnegotiable prerequisite for meaningful progress. The forthcoming sixth round of talks promises to be exceptionally demanding, but it could prove decisive in charting the exact trajectory of US-Iran diplomatic engagement, establishing whether the two nations can forge workable accommodations that secure Gulf Arab endorsement, while thwarting the military escalation actively sought by extremist factions and the Netanyahu administration.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Iran says no chance of nuclear deal with US without clarity on sanctions relief
Iran says it will not strike a nuclear deal with the US until it has clarity on sanctions relief even as Washington pushes for a speedy agreement. Iran and the US have held five rounds of talks since April, primarily mediated by Oman, to work out a new agreement, with Washington focussed on preventing Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Iran says it's willing to negotiate but insists on a deal that guarantees lasting sanctions relief and respects its right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes, a key sticking point. "I regret to inform you that the American side has not yet been willing to clarify this issue," a foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, said during a weekly press conference in Tehran. "It must be clear to us how the oppressive sanctions against the Iranian people will be lifted to ensure that past experiences are not repeated. No agreement will happen unless we have clear and reliable assurances about the end of sanctions. So far, we haven't seen what we need to from the other side – only repeated waves of sanctions before each round of negotiations.' Omani foreign minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, who is mediating the talks, presented elements of an American proposal for a nuclear deal during a short visit to Tehran on Saturday. US president Donald Trump, who ripped up the previous nuclear deal during his first presidency, recently said he envisioned an agreement with Iran that would let America 'blow up' any infrastructure, such as nuclear sites and labs, deemed a threat. He said such a deal could be finalised in the 'next couple of weeks' and claimed talks had made 'a lot of progress'. An advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said ' accessing Iran's nuclear sites and 'blowing up infrastructure' is a fantasy past US presidents shared'. 'Iran is independent, with strong defenses, resilient people, and clear red lines,' Ali Shamkhani added. Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. He now wants to replace or modify it with a "stronger" deal, threatening military action if diplomacy fails.
The National
2 days ago
- Business
- The National
Iran demands US guarantee it will lift sanctions as a condition for nuclear deal
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman on Monday called for a US 'guarantee' of sanctions relief as a condition for a nuclear deal, with Tehran insisting the process of uranium enrichment should be kept within the country. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi visited Tehran on Saturday and presented details of a US proposal for a deal on the nuclear programme to Iranian authorities. Muscat has been mediating talks between Washington and Tehran. Iran's foreign minister said the country was preparing a response to the proposal. 'We want to guarantee that the sanctions are effectively lifted,' Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told a news conference in Tehran on Monday. 'So far, the American side has not wanted to clarify this issue. 'It must be clear to us how the oppressive sanctions against the Iranian people will be lifted, to ensure that past experiences are not repeated,' Mr Baghaei added. The White House has described the US proposal as 'acceptable' and in Iran's 'best interest' to accept. The New York Times reported that it calls on Iran to stop enrichment and suggests the creation of a regional consortium to produce nuclear power. The idea of a regional group to handle Iran's enrichment had previously been reported. 'The consortium idea cannot in any way replace enrichment inside Iran,' Mr Baghaei said. 'If some parties present such a process, we welcome it and we have no problem with participation, but such an initiative cannot replace enrichment' within the country. His remarks came after a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran in recent months had increased its production of highly enriched uranium to about 60 per cent – close to the 90 per cent needed to develop weapons. The US has said that it remains opposed to Iranian enrichment. 'An enrichment programme can never exist in the state of Iran ever again. That's our red line. No enrichment,' US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been representing Washington in the talks, told Breitbart News. Iran, however, has maintained that uranium enrichment is a red line in negotiations. 'This issue is known as the red line of the Islamic Republic of Iran. No one can claim that Iran does not have the right to enrich, because this issue depends on its own frameworks and regulations,' Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, said on Sunday.
The National
3 days ago
- Business
- The National
Oman delivers details of US nuclear proposal to Iran, Araghchi says
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi has presented details of a US proposal for a nuclear deal with Iran during a visit to Tehran on Saturday, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the proposal, saying US President Donald Trump 's special envoy Steve Witkoff 'has sent a detailed and acceptable proposal to the Iranian regime'. Mr Araghchi said in a post on X that the Omani Foreign Minister 'paid a short visit to Tehran today to present elements of a US proposal which will be appropriately responded to in line with the principles, national interests and rights of the people of Iran'. Iran and the US have held five rounds of talks – three in Muscat and two in Rome – mediated by the Omani Foreign Minister to resolve a decades-long dispute over Iran's nuclear programme. Mr Araghchi's statement came ahead of an anticipated sixth round, a date and venue for which have not been announced. One of the main sticking points has been US insistence that Iran give up its nuclear enrichment facilities, a demand Iran rejects. Mr Trump, who has restored a 'maximum pressure' campaign on Tehran since February, ditched a 2015 nuclear pact between Tehran and six world powers in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran. In the intervening years, Tehran has overstepped limits set in the 2015 agreement on its nuclear programme, which were designed to make it harder to develop an atom bomb. In recent months it has stepped up its production of highly enriched uranium, according to a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) seen by AFP on Saturday. In a separate in-depth report, the IAEA also criticised 'less than satisfactory' co-operation from Tehran over its scrutiny of the nuclear programme. 'While Iran continues to co-operate with the agency on matters of routine safeguards implementation, in a number of respects … its co-operation with the agency has been less than satisfactory,' the report said. Tehran denies it is seeking a nuclear weapon. It said the report is 'politically motivated and repeats baseless accusations', state media reported. Ms Leavitt said on Saturday that 'President Trump has made it clear that Iran can never obtain a nuclear bomb'. She confirmed the latest US proposal had been communicated to Iran but declined to provide details. On Friday, Mr Trump said a deal was possible in the 'not-too-distant future'. Earlier in the week, he told reporters he had recently warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to take action that could disrupt the talks with Iran. Those comments appeared to signal US concern that Israel might strike Iran's nuclear facilities. But Mr Trump himself has repeatedly threatened to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities if diplomacy fails to achieve a deal.
LBCI
4 days ago
- General
- LBCI
Iran says received 'elements' of US proposal for nuclear deal
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday said he had received "elements" of a U.S. proposal for a potential nuclear deal following five rounds of talks mediated by Oman. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi "paid a short visit to Tehran today to present elements of a U.S. proposal which will be appropriately responded to in line with the principles, national interests and rights of the people of Iran," Araghchi said on X. AFP
