US seeks Omani mediation for Iran nuclear program deal: Axios

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Axios + Agencies
31 May 2023 19:11

A new report by Axios highlights a low-profile US trip to discuss a shuttle diplomacy proposal for an interim Iran nuclear program agreement with Tehran.

This photo released Nov. 5, 2019, by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran shows centrifuge machines in the Natanz uranium enrichment facility near Natanz, Iran (AP)

Senior Middle East advisor to US President Joe Biden, Brett McGurk, traveled to Muscat, on May 8, ensuring that the trip remained low-profile, in order to examine, with Omani authorities, prospective diplomatic outreach, in the shape of a Omani mediation, to Iran about its nuclear program, according to five US, Israeli, and European sources, as reported by Axios.

McGurk's Muscat trip followed a series of trips that started in Saudi Arabia wherein the Middle East Advisor was accompanied by Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor, reported Axios, which cited four Israeli and US officials as saying that the Riyadh trip was succeeded by a trip to "Israel".

According to the outlet, the two US advisors flew to "Israel" to allegedly brief Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on US talks in Saudi Arabia.

This was significant because previously, the Biden administration expressed grave concern regarding Iranian advances in the nuclear program, which the US claimed could be a cause for regional military escalations.

Earlier in April, Axios had also reported that a possible proposal for an interim agreement with Iran was discussed between the US and its European and Israeli allies. Such a proposal would include partial sanctions relief in exchange for Iran agreeing to freeze parts of its nuclear program.

“The Omanis are holding proximity talks between the U.S. and Iran," a senior Israeli official told Axios. This meant that the shuttle mediation went through Oman, and the two parties did not have to meet face-to-face to conclude the agreement.

According to Axios, there was a clear interjection by a US official on comments made by another Israeli official, and the EU official attempted to calm the situation.

“The Americans want a time out," a senior Israeli official told Axios before he was interjected by a White House National Security Council spokesperson who argued that “there is no U.S. discussion of an interim deal and no discussion of sanctions relief, or closing safeguards cases."

At that point, a senior European diplomat told Axios that the "U.S. is working with the Omanis on the Iranian issue," and the White House NSC spokesperson refused to comment on regional diplomacy topics "of which Iran is one aspect."

It is worth noting that neither Omani nor US authorities announced or discussed McGurk's trip to Muscat.

It was also reported by Axios that both Omani and Iranian foreign ministries did not respond to requests for comment.

Iran to possibly get $7 billion in unfrozen funds from S.Korea

In April of this year, the Iranian news agency Tasnim gathered that a regional figure, most likely the foreign minister of Oman, would conduct a visit to Tehran to finalize the procedure for the release of $7 billion in Iranian overseas assets that have been frozen due to sanctions.

The sum of $7 billion appears to be remitted to the Central Bank of Iran's account at the Central Bank of Oman.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh was asked about the process of settling South Korea's debt to Iran during a press briefing on Monday.

Dismissing media speculation, the official stated that South Korea is unquestionably in debt to 80 million Iranians for the purchase of oil and gas condensates.

“South Korea has not taken any effective measure to repay the debt. This is a bilateral matter and should be settled within a bilateral framework,” he added.

The late US administration, led by President Donald Trump, effectively demolished the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) by abandoning it and reinstating the sanctions that the nuclear agreement had lifted, in addition to implementing additional bans under alternative labels.

South Korea and other US allies chose to comply with the infringement by suspending trade with the Islamic Republic and refusing to pay their debts to Iran, which were largely for oil.

Iran has repeatedly demanded the release of its frozen assets in several nations, including $10 billion in South Korea, but Seoul has appealed to Washington for permission to discharge its debt.