Omani mediator says US-Iran deal 'within our reach' though Trump says 'unhappy' with talks
Washington, Feb 28
The US-Iran nuclear talks have made "substantial progress" toward a deal which "is within our reach," Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, a major mediator, told CBS News, hours after US President Donald Trump said he is "not happy" with the way the talks is going.
Albusaidi said Iran has agreed that it will "never, ever have ... nuclear material that will create a bomb," calling it a "big achievement," Xinhua news agency reported.
Iran's existing stockpiles of enriched uranium would be "blended to the lowest level possible" and "converted into fuel, and that fuel will be irreversible," according to Albusaidi.
Meanwhile, Trump said Friday he is "not happy" with the way the US-Iran nuclear talks are going but has not made a final decision on potential military operations against Iran.
"I'm not happy with the fact that they're not willing to give us what we have to have. I'm not thrilled with that. We'll see what happens. We're talking later," Trump told reporters as he left the White House ahead of his trip to Texas.
"We haven't made a final decision" on whether to attack Iran, he said, reiterating that Iran "cannot have nuclear weapons."
"I'd love not to use" the US forces, "but sometimes you have to," Trump said.
Tensions between the United States and Iran are soaring amid a massive US military buildup in the Middle East and the stalled nuclear talks.
Earlier on Friday, the US State Department authorised the departure of non-emergency US government personnel and their families from Israel due to safety risks.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Trump's "not happy" comment is so typical. One day he wants talks, the next he threatens force. This unpredictability is dangerous for the whole world. The Omani mediator's work sounds more credible.
As an Indian, my main concern is the safety of our diaspora in the Gulf region. Any military conflict would put thousands of our citizens at risk. The US must exercise maximum restraint.
Converting enriched uranium into irreversible fuel is a smart technical solution if it's verifiable. The international community, including India, should support such peaceful resolutions. War is not an option.
Respectfully, I have to criticize the article's focus. It highlights Trump's dissatisfaction more than the Omani mediator's substantial progress. The headline could be more balanced. The "within reach" part is the real news.
The US pulling personnel from Israel is a serious sign. Tensions are really high. India has good relations with both the US and Iran—perhaps we can also play a quiet diplomatic role behind the scenes? Jai Hind.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.