Iran Stops Indirect U.S. Talks, Warns of Possible All-Out War

The Islamic Republic has stopped indirect talks with the United States in Oman amid rising tensions with Israel.

Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, who is currently visiting Oman, said that indirect talks between Iran and the U.S. have been suspended due to the region’s escalating tensions.

“For the time being, the Muscat process is halted because of the special situation in the region,” Araghchi said. “We do not see any basis for the talks to resume until we can overcome the current crisis.”

He explained that there had been “a process known as the Muscat Process” under Iran’s previous administration, where indirect communications between Iran and the U.S. were facilitated through Oman.

However, the foreign minister confirmed that this process is currently suspended due to the ongoing tensions in the region.

“We are not seeking war, although we are fully prepared for it. We believe that diplomacy must work to prevent a major crisis in the region,” he said.

During his visit to Iraq the previous day, Araghchi also warned, “The likelihood of increased tension in the region and the outbreak of full-scale war is very high.”

In his meeting with his Iraqi counterpart, Araghchi reiterated, “We are not seeking war, we do not want war, we want peace; however, we are ready for both war and peace.”

Israel has threatened a major retaliatory strike following Iran’s ballistic missile attack earlier this month, the second such direct attack on Israel by Iran since April.