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Efforts to ease tensions between the United States and Iran have hit a deadlock, with talks scheduled for Friday at risk of not happening at all. US officials have told Axios, speaking on condition of anonymity, that negotiations between the two countries are close to failure due to disagreements over the location and format of the meeting.
Initially, Washington and Tehran had agreed that the talks would be held on Friday in Istanbul, with the participation of delegations from several Middle Eastern countries, which have played a mediating role between the parties.
However, Iran has requested a last-minute change of terms. According to Axios, Iranian authorities have told the US that they want the meeting to be moved to Oman and held bilaterally, without the presence of mediators. Tehran wants the talks to focus solely on Iran's nuclear program, excluding discussions on its missile program or other regional issues.
Two US officials confirmed that Washington has rejected these demands, insisting on respecting the original agreement. “There is a high possibility that the talks will not take place at all this week,” one of them said.
"We tried to reach an agreement, but the Iranians refused. It is very likely that the meeting will not take place," the official added, stressing that the US remains ready for dialogue only if Iran accepts the previously agreed format, either this week or the following week.
Another US official warned that time is running out. “We want to get a real deal as soon as possible. Otherwise, other alternatives will be sought,” he said, in an indirect reference to former President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to use military force against Iran.
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