Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has warned it was still possible that the United States will carry out a new military operation in Iran.
"The situation in the Middle East, where the Americans have deployed huge numbers of attack systems, increasing pressure by the day and threatening to use force amid continued attempts to destabilize the political situation in Iran, raises some alarms. Another military operation there cannot be ruled out," Ryabkov said Thursday.
His comments came as Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told the Financial Times that the US and Iran are showing flexibility on a nuclear deal, with Washington appearing "willing" to tolerate some nuclear enrichment.
“It is positive that the Americans appear willing to tolerate Iranian enrichment within clearly set boundaries," Fidan, who has been involved in talks with both Washington and Tehran, told the FT.
“The Iranians now recognize that they need to reach a deal with the Americans, and the Americans understand that the Iranians have certain limits. It’s pointless to try to force them.”
Washington has until now demanded Iran relinquish its stockpile of uranium enriched to up to 60% fissile purity, a small step away from the 90% that is considered weapons grade.
Jalal Dehghani Firoozabadi, Secretary of Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, stated in an interview with ISNA news agency that the conditions of the current negotiations are fundamentally different from previous ones because "we have experienced a 12-day war, which makes dialogue extremely difficult."
He clarified that after the first Muscat talks, when everyone expected diplomacy to prevent war, the attack by Israel and then the US led to those negotiations being dubbed a "deception operation."
He warned that if war breaks out, the Strait of Hormuz will be closed, which would harm China more than anyone.
Regarding expectations, he stated it is unrealistic to expect China and Russia to fight the US for Iran as there is no mutual defense treaty, but this does not negate the strategic assistance they provide in rebuilding Iran's deterrence and defense capabilities.
Earlier this month, a new round of indirect talks between Tehran and Washington took place in Muscat. At the end of this round, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described it as a "good start."
“I hope the Americans have learned their lesson; if this issue is to be resolved, the only way is diplomacy,” said Firoozabadi.
He also hailed Oman, saying it can be trusted as a neutral mediator that does not seek to build prestige at Iran's expense.
Regarding Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Larijani’s visit to Oman and Qatar, he said it shows that Iran is serious about a diplomatic solution.
