Axios news site reported that U.S. President Joe Biden sent his senior advisor for the Middle East, Brett McGurk, to Muscat, Oman, on May 8, to hold talks with Omani officials regarding potential diplomatic communication with Iran about its nuclear program, according to five U.S., Israeli, and European officials. The site stated that the Biden administration discussed with its European and Israeli partners a possible proposal for a temporary agreement with Iran that includes easing sanctions in exchange for Tehran freezing parts of its nuclear program.
It was explained that the visit followed a trip to Saudi Arabia accompanied by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and a visit to Israel to brief Prime Minister Netanyahu on the U.S. discussions in Riyadh. The trip to Muscat was not announced by the United States or Oman. Officials said that the main issue discussed was a new diplomatic push regarding the Iranian nuclear program, mediated by Oman.
A senior Israeli official told the site, using diplomatic terms for negotiations conducted through an agreed third party without face-to-face meetings, “The Omanis are holding indirect talks between the United States and Iran.” Three senior Israeli officials alleged that the White House is exploring through the Omani government whether the Iranians are open to taking steps that would impose some constraints on their nuclear program and ease the regional situation, and what they want in return. One senior Israeli official told Axios: “The Americans want a break.”
A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council responded to the Israeli officials' claims: “There is no U.S. discussion of a temporary agreement nor discussions about easing sanctions or closing the guarantees issues.” A senior European diplomat stated that “the United States is working with the Omanis on the Iranian issue.” The White House National Security Council spokesperson noted that they would not comment on regional diplomacy “in which Iran is one aspect.”
Three Israeli officials revealed to Axios that the Israeli government is concerned about a possible push by the Biden administration towards a temporary agreement with Iran. Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi are expected to discuss these concerns during their visit to the White House on Thursday, as previously reported by Axios.
The foreign ministries of Oman and Iran did not respond to requests for comments.
### American Denial
For its part, the U.S. State Department denied Axios's report but indicated that “Iran remains the biggest looming threat and is advancing in its nuclear program,” stressing: “We will not leave the region’s affairs in a vacuum.”
