Amid rising tensions with Israel, Iran has stated it sees no reason to continue indirect talks with the US at this time, citing the escalating Middle East crisis as a major obstacle to renewed negotiations.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the statement during a visit to Oman, which had previously facilitated indirect talks with the US.
"We do not see a basis for these talks until the current crisis is resolved. Afterward, we will decide whether to resume negotiations and in what form they should continue," Araghchi said.
Iran’s latest declaration comes as the state and country brace for an anticipated counter-retaliation from Israel following a missile barrage earlier this month.
Tehran launched over 180 ballistic missiles at Israel, in response to an Israeli air strike in the southern suburbs of Beirut that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Brig-Gen Abbas Nilforoushan, the operations commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards’ (IRGC) overseas arm, the Quds Force. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says the majority of missiles were "intercepted by Israel and a defensive coalition led by the United States".
Despite that escalation, Tehran has since – including the Iranian Foreign Minister's visit to Oman – appeared to signal its effort to avoid an all-out war with Israel.
“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,” Araghchi said.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that Israel has narrowed down what it will target in their response to Iran’s attack early this month. Some officials have described the targets as Iranian military and energy infrastructure.
It remains uncertain whether Kharg Island, Iran’s primary oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf, is among Israel's potential targets. However, recent data obtained by Iran International indicates that Iran's oil loadings have plummeted by nearly 70% in early October.
Reports suggest that after Iran’s large-scale missile attack on Israel on October 1st, Tehran immediately withdrew its tankers from the Kharg Island to prevent them from being targeted by Israeli retaliatory strikes. Since then, Iran's oil loadings have significantly dropped.
The Pentagon announced on Sunday that the US is deploying the advanced Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system to Israel, accompanied by approximately 100 American troops to operate it.
This marks the first deployment of US forces to Israel since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023. The move comes amid escalating tensions, following Iran's launch of around 200 missiles at Israel on October 1, as the situation in the Middle East continues to deteriorate.
While Israel currently shows no signs of targeting nuclear facilities or conducting assassinations, US officials have emphasized that Israel has not made a final decision on its course of action, and no assurances have been given that it won't strike Iran's nuclear sites.