Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi has announced the suspension of indirect talks with the United States (US), citing “no grounds” for continuing the discussions mediated by Oman.
The talks, initiated in June, aimed to reduce regional tensions between Tehran and Washington, which have no formal diplomatic ties.
However, the suspension comes after a significant escalation involving Iran’s missile attack on Israel on October 1, 2024, which Tehran claimed was in retaliation for the assassination of Iran-aligned militant leaders and a general from the Revolutionary Guards.
Araghchi who met with senior Houthi rebel official Mohammed Abdel Salam and his Omani counterpart Badr Albusaidi in Oman, confirmed the suspension during his regional diplomatic tour.
Both sides advocated for diplomatic solutions to the region’s escalating conflicts.
Oman’s foreign ministry emphasized the importance of diplomacy in resolving regional disputes.
The halted U.S.-Iran talks were seen as a channel to avoid further escalation between the United States, a key ally of Israel, and Iran, which backs anti-Israel groups.
Tensions between Iran and Israel remain high, with the U.S. supporting Israel through significant military aid while Iran maintains its support for the so-called “axis of resistance” groups.
The suspension of U.S.-Iran talks complicates diplomatic efforts to resolve these conflicts peacefully.
Araghchi’s earlier stops in Baghdad, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia focused on establishing ceasefires in Lebanon and Gaza to prevent further destabilization of the region.