The US on Wednesday said it was ready to meet Iran for talks this week, but stressed that discussions must go beyond Tehran’s nuclear programme to include its missile capabilities, even as a senior Iranian official said Iran’s missile programme was “off the table”
The United States on Wednesday said it was ready to meet Iran for talks this week, but stressed that discussions must go beyond Tehran’s nuclear programme to include its missile capabilities, support for militant groups and treatment of its population, even as a senior Iranian official said Iran’s missile programme was “off the table.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also confirmed Iran’s opposition to Washington’s plan to hold nuclear talks in Istanbul on Friday, saying the format and venue were still being worked out.
“We thought we had an established forum that had been agreed to in Turkey that was put together by a number of partners who wanted to attend and be a part of it. I saw conflicting reports yesterday from the Iranian side saying that they had not agreed to that, so that’s still being worked through,” Times of Israel quoted Rubio as telling reporters during an event in Washington.
The sides are now reportedly considering Oman as an alternative venue for the talks.
“At the end of the day, the United States is prepared to engage, and has always been prepared to engage with Iran,” Rubio said.
“For talks to actually lead to something meaningful, they will have to include certain things, and that includes the range of their ballistic missiles. That includes their sponsorship of terrorist organisations across the region. That includes the nuclear programme. And that includes the treatment of their own people.”
Iran has indicated it is willing to discuss only its nuclear programme, but not under US conditions that would require Tehran to stop enriching uranium on its own territory and export its existing enriched stockpiles.
“The fundamental problem Iran faces is that what people are on the streets complaining about, this regime cannot address… because it’s economic,” Rubio said.
“One of the reasons why the Iranian regime cannot provide the people of Iran the quality of life that they deserve is because they’re spending all their money and resources… sponsoring terrorism.”
Despite the sharp differences, Rubio said Washington remains open to engagement.
“President Trump is willing to talk to and meet with and engage with anyone in the world. We don’t view meetings as a concession [or]… legitimization,” he said.
“If the Iranians want to meet, we’re ready. They’ve expressed an interest in meeting and talking. If they change their mind, we’re fine with that too… I’m not sure you can reach a deal with these guys, but we’re going to try to find out,” Rubio added.
Following Rubio’s remarks, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that any talks would be limited strictly to Iran’s nuclear programme, adding that its missile program was “off the table.”
With inputs from agencies
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