Iran refuses to talk directly to US, asks this country to mediate; Not Jordan, Qatar, UAE, or Egypt
Tehran: Iran has refused to engage in direct talks with the United States regarding its nuclear programme. It has stated that it will not engage in direct negotiations under any pressure from the United States. Additionally, Iran has warned neighbouring countries hosting U.S. military bases that they could become targets if they get involved. U.S. President Donald Trump had written a letter to Iran asking for negotiations. He also stated that if Iran does not negotiate, it would face bombing the likes of which the world has never seen.
A senior Iranian official has stated that their country has rejected Donald Trump’s demand for direct talks. However, it wishes to continue indirect talks with the United States through Oman, which has long been a channel for messages between rival countries. The official said, “Indirect talks provide an opportunity to assess Washington’s seriousness about a political solution with Iran.” He mentioned that while this path may be “difficult,” such talks could start soon if U.S. messages support it.
An official said that Iran has issued a notice to Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Turkey, and Bahrain that any support for an American attack on Iran, which includes the use of their airspace or territory by U.S. forces during the attack, will be considered a hostile act. The official stated that such acts will have ‘serious consequences’ for them. He mentioned that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has placed Iran’s armed forces on high alert.
Trump’s warnings of military action against Iran have escalated the already tense situation in the region following open warfare in Gaza and Lebanon, military attacks in Yemen, regime change in Syria, and Israeli-Iranian clashes. Concerns of a wide-ranging regional conflict have destabilized the states around the Gulf, a body of water bordered on one side by Iran and on the other by U.S.-allied Arab monarchies that carry a significant portion of the global oil supply.
Spokespersons for the governments of Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry stated that it had no information regarding the warning, but such messages could be conveyed through other channels. On Wednesday, April 2, Iranian state media reported that Kuwait has assured Iran that it will not accept any aggressive actions directed against other countries from its territory. Iran’s ally Russia stated on Thursday, April 3 that American threats of military attacks against the Islamic Republic are unacceptable and called for restraint on Friday, April 4.
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