United States is set to have nuclear-related talks with Iran in Oslo next week, what could be the first direct discussions between the two countries since last month’s combined US-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Axios reported Thursday, quoting sources.
The gathering, which is not officially announced, will reportedly include White House special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Neither Washington nor Tehran publicly confirmed the arrangement and no last date was set. One White House official informed Axios, “We have no travel announcements at this time.”
Witkoff and Araghchi are reported to have been in touch throughout and after the recent 12-day Israel-Iran confrontation, which was ended by a US-mediated ceasefire. Omani and Qatari diplomats were also reported to have had mediation roles in helping arrange possible talks.
As the report states, one priority for any negotiations would be Iran’s 400 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium stored in sealed nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. The facilities were severely damaged by the April attacks, making the uranium temporarily unusable. Officials caution that it will be retrievable once structural rubble is removed.
While Iran initially opposed renewed talks with Washington, its stance is said to have softened in the last few weeks. The negotiations would come at a time of increased fears over Iran’s nuclear path and global demands for openness.
Throwing additional tension into the mix, Iran just passed a new law suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Araghchi stated that Iran is still loyal to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty but that all future IAEA interactions would now go through Iran’s Supreme National Security Council for “safety and security” purposes.
Israel’s Channel 12 broke the news of the possible Oslo meeting.
