Mideast Source to Haaretz: U.S. Drops Demand for Iran Talks to Cover Ballistic Program, Proxies - Middle East News
Ahead of talks Friday between the United States and Iran, a Middle Eastern official familiar with details of preliminary negotiations has told Haaretz that the sides have agreed to limit discussions to the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.
According to the source, the U.S. agreed to the Iranian conditions following intervention by other countries in the region, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman. The source added that Iran warned that it is prepared for regional conflict should its conditions for the negotiation framework be rejected.
The U.S. is yet make any official statement on whether it has indeed backed down from its demand to include additional issues, such as the Iranian ballistic missile program and the activities of Iran's proxies, in the talks.
The source further added that countries in the region countries "do not want a neighborhood bully [Iran], but realize that Iran will cause damage to the region if it is attacked."
The source added that, despite the current rhetoric coming out of Tehran, the ayatollahs may eventually be willing to give up their nuclear program. Nevertheless, he said it is not yet clear where the talks will lead and whether the Americans will insist on maximalist demands regarding the nuclear issue.
Another Middle Eastern source confirmed to Haaretz that countries across the region are pressuring the U.S. to give diplomacy and dialogue a chance.