Iran Seeks Indirect Negotiations with the U.S., Issues Warnings to Regional Allies

Iran is signaling its intent to engage in indirect negotiations with the United States regarding its nuclear program, amid escalating tensions and threats of military action. A senior Iranian official, speaking anonymously, indicated that Iran is open to continuing discussions through Oman, a nation known for facilitating communication between Tehran and Washington.

While Iran has firmly rejected direct negotiations as demanded by U.S. President Donald Trump, it views indirect talks as a means to assess U.S. commitment to finding a political resolution. The official described these potential discussions as a challenging but necessary path forward, contingent on supportive messaging from the U.S.

In a significant warning to its neighboring countries that host U.S. military bases, Iran has communicated that any assistance provided to the U.S. in the event of an attack would be regarded as an act of hostility. The consequences, as stated by the Iranian official, would be severe. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly placed Iran's armed forces on heightened alert in response to the current geopolitical climate.

The region is already on edge due to various conflicts, including recent hostilities in Gaza and Lebanon, ongoing military actions in Yemen, and shifts in leadership in Syria, which have contributed to a volatile atmosphere. Concerns about a broader regional conflict have heightened anxieties among Gulf nations, which are situated near Iran and are allied with the U.S.

Responses from the governments of Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain have yet to be received regarding Iran's warnings. Meanwhile, Turkey's Foreign Ministry stated that it was unaware of any such warning but acknowledged that communications may occur through other channels.

On a diplomatic note, Iranian state media reported that Kuwait has assured Iran of its non-involvement in any aggressive actions directed at other nations from its territory. Additionally, Russia, a key ally of Iran, criticized U.S. threats of military action against Iran as unacceptable and called for de-escalation.

Iran is reportedly seeking to strengthen its ties with Russia but remains cautious about Moscow's reliability as an ally, suggesting that the dynamics of U.S.-Russia relations will influence this partnership.

Trump has expressed a preference for a diplomatic solution to the nuclear issue over military confrontation, having communicated with Khamenei about the possibility of talks. The Iranian official indicated that the first round of indirect negotiations could involve Omani mediators facilitating communication between the two nations.

There is a sense of urgency for an agreement within the next two months, driven by concerns that Israel may launch its own military actions if negotiations stall, potentially leading to a reinstatement of international sanctions aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Despite Iran's long-standing assertions that it does not seek to develop nuclear weapons, it has significantly increased uranium enrichment levels, approaching 60% purity, which nears the threshold for weapons-grade material. Western nations argue there is no legitimate reason for such high enrichment under civilian programs, as no country has pursued such levels without ultimately developing nuclear weapons.

While Iran has indicated a willingness to discuss its nuclear program, it maintains that any negotiations must not include its missile program, which it considers non-negotiable. A senior military commander from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has also hinted that U.S. bases in the region could be targeted in the event of a conflict.

In a prior incident in 2020, Iran retaliated with missile strikes against U.S. bases in Iraq following the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, the head of the IRGC's Quds Force, in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad.