US briefs 'concerned' Israel over direct nuclear talks with Iran

The US has informed Israel of its negotiations with Iran over the country's nuclear programme that took place in Oman on Saturday, while another round is set to take place in the Italian capital, Rome, next Saturday, amid Tel Aviv's concern.

According to the Hebrew-language Walla news site on Monday, a senior Israeli official and a source familiar with the details - both unnamed - reported that White House envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, spoke by phone on Sunday with Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and briefed him on the talks with Iran.

American officials expressed the White House’s satisfaction with the outcome of the first round of talks with Iran, indicating that the discussions proceeded according to plan and achieved the desired result: transitioning from indirect talks to direct dialogue with the Iranians.

The Trump administration's negotiators stated that the US wants to see whether the Iranians will soon agree to take steps that demonstrate a move away from nuclear weapons. A knowledgeable source said one such step might be reducing Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium to 60 percent, which could be sufficient to make six nuclear bombs. 

The second round of nuclear talks between the US and Iran is expected to be held in Rome on Saturday, according to two sources familiar with the matter who spoke to the American news site Axios. Omani mediators are expected to be present regardless of the location. 

A source familiar with the details said that the conversation between Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was "objective, serious, and excellent", lasting around 45 minutes.

This was the highest-level direct dialogue between Washington and Tehran in over eight years. According to two informed sources, mistrust and scepticism were among the main obstacles that had to be overcome in the Oman talks.

'Contradictory statements'

The Iranians pointed out during the talks that it was US President Donald Trump who withdrew from the agreement Iran had signed with the US, and they expressed concern that this could happen again.

Iran has also accused the US of issuing "contradictory statements" regarding the talks, which is why Tehran is seeking indirect talks with Washington due to the Trump administration's continued military threats.

"You cannot claim to be negotiating while simultaneously applying pressure and issuing threats," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said.

Baghaej suggested that the talks on Saturday will therefore not be indirect, as direct talks at this stage "would not be effective or beneficial".  While other reports have identified Rome as the location of the talks, Baghaej suggested the location of the talks has not yet been decided. 

He even contradicted the US's claim that the meeting in Oman between Witkoff and Araghchi lasted 45 minutes, saying the meeting "lasted only a few minutes". 

However, the bottom line, according to both Iranian and American sources, is that there is a consensus that a path forward that allows for progress can be established with further talks, and that both sides are willing to enter into negotiations.

Commenting on the regional countries' separate statements welcoming the Iranian-US negotiations, Baghaej said his country welcomes this "positive and constructive approach by the neighbors". He added that Araghchi briefed his regional counterparts on the talks with the US, and that this approach will continue.

Israeli fears

Israeli news site Yedioth Ahronoth reported growing concern in Israel over the talks, especially claims that Witkoff offered Tehran a draft agreement that doesn't require dismantling its nuclear programme under the Libyan model, which Israel favours. There is a prevailing sense in Tel Aviv that any deal reached may be deeply flawed.

Israel fears Iran is close to developing a nuclear bomb and worries that Araghchi might manipulate the Americans.

These fears are compounded by the belief that Trump may opt for a weak compromise over confrontation. According to Haaretz, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu dreads such a deal but may be forced to accept it quietly, and is likely hoping the negotiations collapse.

Last week, Trump once again threatened Iran with not just US but also Israeli military attacks if the country doesn't acquiesce to its demands.

"If it requires military, we're going to have military. Israel will obviously be very much involved in that, be the leader of that," Trump said on Wednesday when asked what would happen if the talks with Iran fail.