A fresh round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States, scheduled to be held in Oman this weekend, has been abruptly canceled following Israeli airstrikes on Tehran.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi confirmed the decision on Saturday, stating, “The Iran-US talks scheduled to be held in Muscat this Sunday will not now take place.” He emphasized that “diplomacy and dialogue remain the only pathway to lasting peace.”
The cancellation comes in the wake of Israel's major aerial offensive targeting Iranian military and nuclear facilities. The attacks reportedly killed several senior Iranian officials and civilians, prompting strong condemnation from Tehran.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized Washington for continuing to support Israel while attempting to engage in diplomacy. “The Zionist regime’s coordination with the United States in its aggression against Iranian territory in the midst of negotiations is a sign of America’s dishonesty and unreliability,” Pezeshkian told Pakistan’s prime minister in a phone call.
Despite the setback, a US official told AFP on Saturday that Washington remains open to dialogue. “We still hope to have talks,” said the official, requesting anonymity.
However, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said continuing talks under the current situation is “unjustifiable,” signaling a significant pause in the ongoing diplomatic efforts.
The future of the US-Iran nuclear deal now hangs in uncertainty as regional tensions escalate.