MANAMA: Oman, which hosted several rounds of US-Iran nuclear talks that were derailed by the Israel-Iran war in June, urged the countries on Saturday to go back to the negotiating table.
“We want to return to the negotiations between Iran (and) the United States,” Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said during a panel at the IISS Manama Dialogue conference in Bahrain.
Oman, Iran’s traditional intermediary, hosted five rounds of US-Iran talks this year.
However, “just three days before the sixth and possibly decisive round of talks, Israel unleashed its bombs and missiles in an illegal and deadly act of sabotage,” Albusaidi said.
The talks had aimed for a new agreement that would curb Iran’s nuclear activities in return for sanctions relief.
Western countries, including the United States, have long accused Iran of seeking to acquire atomic weapons, while Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
Albusaidi called for fellow Gulf nations to favor dialogue with Iran and others long seen as foes and rivals in the region.
“Over the years, the GCC has at best sat back and permitted the isolation of Iran,” he said, referring to the Gulf Cooperation Council regional bloc.
“I believe this needs to change,” Albusaidi added.
“Oman has long hoped for a more comprehensive mechanism for dialogue with all states in the region including Iran, Iraq and Yemen,” he said.
Mediator Oman calls on Iran, US to resume nuclear talks
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Mediator Oman calls on Iran, US to resume nuclear talks
- Oman, Iran’s traditional intermediary, hosted five rounds of US-Iran talks this year
Jordan’s king stresses need to preserve Christian presence in Middle East
- King Abdullah II holds talks with religious leaders in Amman
LONDON: King Abdullah II of Jordan emphasized the importance of preserving a Christian presence in the Middle East on Monday during talks with religious leaders.
In meetings at Al-Husseiniya Palace with Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East and Archimandrite Metodije of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the king called for an end to the violation of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem by Israel, which he said was seeking to change the historical and legal status quo, the Petra news agency reported.
The king reaffirmed Jordan’s religious and historical role in protecting holy sites under its Hashemite Custodianship.
Crown Prince Hussein, Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, the king’s chief adviser for religious and cultural affairs, Alaa Batayneh, director of the Office of His Majesty, and Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III also joined the talks, the report said.
King Abdullah stressed the need for all parties to adhere to the agreement to end the war in Gaza, ensure the flow of aid and prevent escalations in the occupied West Bank.
