Postponement of Muscat Talks and the Unclear Will of America

Regional and global developments are happening at a remarkable pace. Every moment, major events are happening globally. Over the past year or so, so many different developments have occurred in the region that if we compare it with the developments of the past few decades, we can say that the changes have been equivalent to a century.

Ultimately, the tensions between the Resistance Front and the Western camp led by the US and the Zionist regime’s gendarmerie in the West Asia region led to a ceasefire between part of the axes of resistance – namely, Hezbollah in Lebanon – and the Zionist regime; of course, with the guarantees and supervision of the US and France. (And of course, it should be noted that the Zionist regime, with its frequent airstrikes on parts of Lebanon, has shown virtually no commitment to this ceasefire.)

On a macro level, at the same time as the United States’ military threats against the Islamic Republic of Iran as the axis of the resistance front in the region, there was talk of readiness for talks on the nuclear issue. Finally, the first round of indirect talks was held in Muscat, hosted by Oman. The second round of talks was held in Rome (the capital of Italy), with Oman’s mediation and this time apparently at the insistence of the United States.

After the end of this round, both sides expressed optimism and it was announced that four days later, on Wednesday of the same week, technical delegations from both sides would hold an indirect meeting in Muscat; a meeting that was ultimately postponed.

However, on Saturday of the following week, talks were held between technical delegations and high-ranking officials from both sides in Muscat. This time, however, unlike previous rounds, there was no optimism. It seems that this time, the issues and details of the parties’ demands have been raised more seriously; issues whose acceptance by the other side requires in-depth studies and consideration of the red lines and requirements of both sides.

It is worth noting that during these indirect talks, the American side has also imposed new sanctions on Iran, and some US officials have adopted an approach contrary to the course of the talks.

After the third meeting of the negotiating teams in Muscat, what is currently observed is an indefinite postponement of the talks. In this regard, Donald Trump wrote on his social network:

“Warning: All purchases of Iranian oil or petrochemical products must stop now!

Any country or person that purchases any amount of oil or petrochemicals from Iran will be immediately subject to secondary sanctions.

They will not be allowed to trade with the United States in any way, shape, or form.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

President Donald J. Trump"

On the other hand, the news of the downing of a US F-18 fighter jet from an aircraft carrier following missile and drone attacks by the Yemeni armed forces, as well as the missile attack on the heart of the occupied territories - at a busy airport like Ben Gurion - has surprised politicians and analysts of regional issues.

In general, given what has been said, and in addition to the movements and displacements of the US in Syria, the clash between the Druze and the forces under the command of Golani, and the bombing of targets near the Syrian presidential palace by the Zionist regime, it seems that the Americans do not have the necessary vote stability in the negotiations. Their goal in the talks is not to reach an understanding, but to completely dismantle Iran’s nuclear program or to gain direct and complete access to the enrichment process and storage sites for enriched material. These factors have cast a heavy shadow over the normal course of the negotiations.

However, the Iranian side has emphasized that it adheres to the principles of dialogue, including a fair approach and avoiding unreasonable demands, and is awaiting an official announcement from Oman on the date of the next round of talks. However, given the demands of the American side and the statements of Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, regarding the “ambiguity of Iran’s enrichment goals and lack of access to some sites,” the future of these talks is unclear and it seems very difficult to reach a conclusion.