Iran, US hold indirect talks amid tensions, UN mission confirms

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
19 May 2024 02:24
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The Iranian UN mission in New York confirms indirect negotiations between Iran and the US were held in Oman.

A huge Iranian flag is carried under the Azadi (Freedom) monument tower during the annual rally commemorating Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, February 11, 2024. (AP)

Iran's UN mission in New York has affirmed that indirect discussions took place between Iran and the US this week. The talks occurred in Oman and are described as part of "an ongoing process."

Moreover, the mission emphasized that such negotiation processes have happened before and will continue.

This confirmation came after Axios reported that two high-ranking US officials engaged in indirect talks with Iranian counterparts in Oman.

According to Axios, Brett McGurk, President Joe Biden's top advisor for the Middle East, and Abram Paley, the acting US envoy for Iran, represented the US side. However, the identity of the Iranian representatives remains unclear.

Axios further noted that these talks, the first since similar negotiations in January 2024, aimed to address tensions in the West Asia region and explore avenues for de-escalation.

Iran lambasts US for threatening ICC with sanctions over 'Israel'

Earlier on Saturday, Iranian government spokesperson Ali Bahadori Jahromi lashed out at US lawmakers for granting immunity to Israeli officials amid reports that the International Criminal Court (ICC) was preparing to issue arrest warrants to members of the Israeli government, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over the war on the Gaza Strip.

Bahadori Jahromi pointed out on Friday that certain Western countries blatantly violate international law, exploiting its weaknesses. He added that the arbitrary actions of Western states have hindered the progress and effectiveness of international law.

The Iranian spokesperson highlighted that the ongoing Israeli massacres against women and children, attacks on residential areas, medical centers, and even UN camps over the past seven months, reveal the true stance of some Western countries on human rights.

Bahadori Jahromi stressed that these actions demonstrate the ineffectiveness of international law in preventing such atrocities.

His remarks come after the US-based news website Axios revealed that House Republicans are drafting a bill aimed at imposing sanctions on ICC officials as a "precaution" in response to the possibility of arrest warrants being issued for Israeli officials over war crimes in Gaza.

Reportedly, the names of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Security Minister Yoav Gallant, and Israeli Army chief Herzi Halevi have been circled as suspects of war crimes that the ICC will look to prosecute and issue arrest warrants against.

Bipartisan Congress members have warned the court that it will face consequences from the United States if it moves forward with the process.