The Houthi group continues its ongoing attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, causing damage to 15 vessels amid continued U.S. and British airstrikes on the group. For this reason, informed sources revealed that the United States held secret talks with Iran this year, attempting to persuade Tehran to use its influence over the Yemeni Houthi movement to end the attacks on ships in the Red Sea, according to American and Iranian officials.
Officials stated that the indirect negotiations, during which Washington raised concerns about Iran's expanding nuclear program, took place in Oman in January and were the first between the rivals in ten months, according to the "Financial Times". The U.S. delegation was led by White House Middle East Adviser Brett McGurk and his special envoy to Iran, Abram Paley. The Iranian delegation was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani, who is also Tehran's chief nuclear negotiator.
Sources noted that Omani officials relayed messages between the Iranian and American representatives, who did not speak directly. The talks highlight how the Biden administration is employing diplomatic channels with its adversary, alongside military deterrence, in an attempt to calm a wave of regional hostilities executed by armed groups that erupted after the war between Israel and Hamas.
A source familiar with the matter stated that U.S. officials view the establishment of an indirect channel with Iran as "a way to discuss a full range of threats emanating from Iran" and included discussions on "what they need to do to prevent a broader conflict, as they claim they want."
A second round of talks involving McGurk was scheduled for February but was postponed when he became engaged in U.S. efforts to mediate an agreement between Israel and Hamas to halt the war in Gaza and secure the release of Israeli hostages held in the territory, as announced by the U.N. spokesperson and U.S. officials. The last known talks between the United States and Iran were the so-called indirect negotiations in May.
