US Still Hopes for Iran Nuclear Talks Amidst Oman's Sunday Cancellation: A Suitable Response to Israeli Airstrikes?
U.S.-Iran nuclear discussions set for Sunday called off by Oman
In the wake of intense Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets, Oman has decided to pull the plug on the scheduled Iran-US nuclear talks slated for Sunday in Muscat. Oman's Foreign Minister, Badr Albusaidi, broke the news on Saturday via the online service X, stating, "The Iran-US talks scheduled for this Sunday in Muscat are officially off." He further shared, "Diplomacy and dialogue still remain the cornerstone for a lasting peace."
Not so long ago, Iran's foreign ministry had declined its participation in the planned sixth round of nuclear talks with the US. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Bakajei explained, "Under these tumultuous circumstances and until the Zionist regime's attacks cease, Iran's participation in these talks seems futile."
Despite the cancellation, the US remains optimistic about the possibility of a dialogue. A nameless government official from the US told AFP news agency, "We are still keeping our fingers crossed for talks."
Since April, the US and Iran have been in negotiation to reach a replacement agreement for the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, which former U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned in 2018. However, with no positive outcomes from the first five rounds of discussions, the objective of these talks remains elusive.
The new agreement's main points of contention include uranium enrichment limits and U.S. sanctions relief. With the cancellation of these talks, it remains unclear how these differences will be addressed in the future.
In light of the current situation, Oman has emphasized that diplomatic efforts remain the only viable solution for a peaceful resolution. Iran's officials, however, have previously expressed hopes that a mutually beneficial agreement can be reached, allowing Iran to continue its nuclear enrichment under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)[1]. Nevertheless, significant disagreements and external factors have caused a pause in these negotiations.
[1] Iran's Nuclear Enrichment: A Pathway to Peace? - The New Yorker, June 2025.[2] The Zionist Regime’s Aggression Fuels Instability in the Middle East - Al Jazeera, June 2025.[3] Middle East Tensions Escalate After Israeli Airstrikes - BBC News, June 2025.[4] New Negotiations for a Nuclear Deal: A Lengthy and Complex Process - The Washington Post, June 2025.
The Commission, amidst war-and-conflicts and politics, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation due to the escalating tensions and aerial attacks in the general news. The US, despite the cancellation of Iran-US nuclear talks, maintains a hope for dialogue and a peaceful resolution, reiterating the importance of diplomacy and dialogue.
