Talks between the United States and Iran appeared to collapse over the Islamic Republic’s refusal to discuss its ballistic missile program and support for terror proxies, insisting instead on limiting negotiations to the nuclear issue. Today, however, The Jerusalem Post reports that the regime has agreed to expand discussions to include these matters. According to reports, three Iranian officials have confirmed the development.
Additionally, regional sources told the Post that Arab mediators had tried to persuade Tehran to discuss other matters, but the Iranians affirmed on Tuesday, “We are only ready for the nuclear issue.”
Furthermore, Iran requested to move the venue of negotiations from Turkey to Oman, where previous indirect talks between Tehran and Washington DC took place last year.
However, later on Wednesday evening, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that talks would take place in the Omani capital, Muscat, at 10 a.m. on Friday.
After Araghchi published his statement, however, sources told the Post that Arab mediators had attempted to convince the Americans to drop their position that the talks focus on issues beyond nuclear talks so that discussions could take place.
Earlier this week, it was unclear whether the United States would pursue military action or continue diplomatic efforts with Iran. With talks now officially expanding to include missiles and Iran-backed terror groups, the United States and Israel may have a genuine opportunity to confront terrorism through diplomacy.
The talks are set to begin tomorrow. We pray that a resolution is reached—one that prevents nuclear weapons from falling into hostile hands, dismantles terror groups, and ensures ballistic missiles no longer threaten Israeli communities.
