US, Iran discuss ‘technical elements’ of nuclear deal at Oman meeting

#Iran #discuss #technical #elements #nuclear #deal #Oman #meeting

Muscat: The Middle East’s envoy to the Middle East, Stevekov, on Sunday, made the fourth of direct and indirect conversations with Iran in Muscat, Oman, where he was addressing a “technical” technical agreement, according to a senior US administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The US and Iran have agreed to hold another meeting in the near future, the US official said.

The talks began after the earlier cycle, which began about a month ago, in which Washington identified a high -level link between the two enemies after President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from a historic nuclear deal in 2018.

In a video before going to Muscat, Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi said, “The ability to enrich is one of the honors and achievements of the Iranian nation.”

He added, “This morning we had more consultation in Tehran and in this period we hope that we will reach a decisive place.”

Iran’s ISNA news agency later confirmed that “indirect” talks between the two sides have begun.

The latest round of talks has emerged in the midst of a flare of diplomatic activities in the region, Trump was on his way to the Gulf next week for his first foreign visit, after Aragchi was in Saudi Arabia and Qatar later this week.

Both sides have reported progress after the previous round.

But there have been some delays and disagreements over Iran’s right to rich uranium, in which the US envoy called it a “red line”.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baqi said the negotiators would urge US sanctions during the meeting.

Red Line

“Both sides” have not yet reached a breakthrough and it will take a lot of time, “said Yusuf al -Biloshi, chairman of the Muscat Policy Council’s think tank.

The fourth round was initially scheduled for May 3 but was reset, citing “Reasons for Luxury” with mediator Oman.

Western countries, including the United States, have long tried to acquire nuclear weapons on Iran, which Tehran has permanently denied, and has insisted that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Iran currently pures uranium 60 % of purity-which is far beyond 3.67 % of the 2015 deal with Washington and other global powers, but less than 90 % for weapons-level content.

Steve Watkov, a US Middle East envoy, who led the Washington delegation, said in an interview on Friday that Iran’s “enrichment facilities would have to be eliminated”.

After initially suggesting a flexible on Tehran to maintain low levels of uranium for urban purposes, “this is not our red line. There is no enrichment.”

“If the conversation is” not fruitful … then they will not continue and we will have to take a different way, “Watkov said.

Trump has said he wants “full confirmation” that Iran’s nuclear work has been stopped, and Foreign Secretary Marco Rubio has insisted that Tehran abandoned all uranium enrichment.

Tehran’s chief negotiator, Aragchi, has repeatedly defended Iran’s right to enrich uranium.

Meanwhile, Blashi warned that during the past negotiations, the two sides had wasted valuable time, rather than “what was said or not” instead of resolving the differences.

‘Experts’ on the table

Iran implemented a year before returning its compliance before the 2015 deal was followed for one year after the withdrawal of Washington.

Since returning to office in January, Trump has revived his “maximum pressure” view against Tehran, while supporting nuclear diplomacy, but if it fails, a potential military action is a warning.

The key aspects of Tehran’s nuclear program, especially its enriched uranium storage and pace of enrichment activities are being discussed.

European governments are weighing on whether the 2015 agreement is to mobilize the “Snapback” mechanism, which will restore UN sanctions in response to Iranian non -compliance. This option is an option that ends in October.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who oppose Iran’s US talks, has called for the elimination of Tehran’s nuclear facilities and called for his ballistic missile program to be stopped as part of any credible agreement.

Tehran has insisted that the dialogue be focused on eliminating the nuclear issue and sanctions, which rejected the negotiations on military capabilities.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Bakai said that the Iranian delegation “consists of experts and experts needed at this phase of negotiations, serving the top interests of our country”.