• This combo of pictures shows US President Donald Trump, left, addressing a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, March 4, 2025, and a handout of Iranian Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei attending a ceremony in Tehran, Iran, March 8, 2025 (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

Iran is resisting US President Donald Trump’s demands for direct talks over its nuclear program, instead proposing continued indirect negotiations via Oman, a long-established intermediary, a senior Iranian official told Reuters.

“Indirect talks offer a chance to evaluate Washington's seriousness about a political solution with Iran,” the official said, noting such dialogue could begin soon if US signals were favorable. However, they acknowledged that the process may be “rocky".

Iran has simultaneously issued warnings to regional countries, including Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, and Bahrain, warning them that allowing US forces to use their territory or airspace in an attack on Iran would be viewed as a hostile act.

“Such an act will have severe consequences for them,” the official warned, adding that Iranian leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei has placed the armed forces on high alert.

These warnings follow heightened regional tensions amid ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza and Lebanon, US aggression on Yemen, regime changes in Syria, and threats between Iran and "Israel". The possibility of escalation has raised concerns among Gulf nations, which are heavily reliant on stable oil transit through the region.

Iran warns of consequences for regional allies amid tensions with US

Iran’s state media reported that Kuwait has reassured Tehran it would not permit its soil to be used for aggression against other nations.  Meanwhile, Turkey's Foreign Ministry said the country had not received a warning, asserting, however, that such messages could be transmitted by alternative channels.

The Iranian official suggested there may be a two-month window for negotiations before the risk of unilateral Israeli military action increases or the “snap back” of UN sanctions aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Although Iran maintains it does not seek nuclear weapons and insists on the peacefulness of its project, the UN nuclear watchdog has claimed Iran is “dramatically” increasing uranium enrichment to 60%—close to weapons-grade. 

While open to addressing concerns over its nuclear program through indirect talks, Tehran continues to reject direct negotiations “under threat” and insists its missile capabilities are not up for discussion.

Earlier in the week, IRGC commander Amirali Hajizadeh hinted that US bases and troops across the region could be targets in the event of a full-blown war. 

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