Secure America Now
The United States and Iran are holding indirect talks to de-escalate tensions and contain the nuclear crisis, including Iran's drone sales to Russia.
The talks, which are being held through intermediaries in Qatar and Oman, have so far focused on a prisoner exchange deal and de-escalatory measures on the nuclear issue.
Under the prisoner exchange deal, Iran would release four US prisoners transferred from Evin prison last week, plus one other American already under house arrest. The US would release five Iranians. Washington would also allow Tehran to access $6bn in frozen oil funds held in South Korea, once the money has been transferred to an account in Qatar, where it will be monitored to ensure that it is only used for non-sanctioned goods.
In addition to the prisoner exchange, the US is also pushing Iran to stop selling armed drones to Russia. The US believes that Iran has been providing drones to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine. Iran has denied these allegations, but the US is seeking more concrete steps from Tehran to ensure that its drones are not being used in the conflict.
Analysts caution that even if the talks are successful, the core issue of addressing Iran's nuclear ambitions remains as challenging and complex as ever. The 2015 nuclear accord, which was designed to limit Iran's nuclear program, is now effectively dead. The Biden administration has said that it wants to revive the accord, but Iran has so far rejected US proposals.
It is possible that the US and Iran could reach a new agreement that addresses Iran's nuclear ambitions. However, it is also possible that the two sides will remain deadlocked, leading to further escalation of tensions. The outcome of the talks will have a significant impact on the stability of the Middle East and the global security landscape.
In the meantime, the US and Iran are continuing to engage in indirect talks through intermediaries. The talks are a delicate balancing act, as both sides are trying to achieve their own objectives while also avoiding a major escalation. The outcome of the talks is uncertain, but they represent a chance for the US and Iran to reduce tensions and contain the nuclear crisis.
Sources
https://www.ft.com/content/c237c531-a51e-4205-a934-0a13e0a50482?shareType=nongift
