Senior American and Iranian officials engaged in talks through intermediaries in Oman this past week, marking the first such conversations since Iran launched a retaliatory attack on Israel with hundreds of missiles and drones last month. The goal of the talks was to urge Iran to rein in its partners, who have been escalating attacks on American troops in the region.
Brett McGurk, the top White House official on Middle East policy, and Abram Paley, the deputy special envoy for Iran, were present at the talks in Oman. The format of the discussions was similar to previous ones, with American and Iranian officials in separate rooms while Omani officials shuttled between them. The recent talks were first reported by Axios.
The retaliatory attack by Iran last month came after Israel killed Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a commander of Iran’s Quds Force, in a strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Damascus. Iran viewed this as an attack on its soil and responded with its first direct assault on Israeli territory, using over 300 missiles and drones.
The United States and Israel, along with European and Arab allies, worked together to thwart the assault. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran in Syria has escalated into an open conflict, with both sides engaging in a “shadow war” for years.
Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, emphasized the clear threat posed by Iran and its proxies to Israel, regional stability, and American interests. He stated that the U.S. is working with Israel and other partners to protect against these threats and prevent escalation into a full-blown regional war through a combination of diplomacy, deterrence, force posture adjustments, and the use of force when necessary.
Mr. Sullivan is set to travel to Saudi Arabia and Israel this weekend to discuss issues related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, potential diplomatic and security agreements involving the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and Israel, and the ongoing threat posed by Iran. The talks in Oman represent a significant step towards addressing the escalating tensions in the region and finding a path towards de-escalation and stability.
