Iran not prioritizing US talks, eyes Oman for mediation

In a recent statement, Iran’s Gharibabadi indicated that Tehran is not prioritizing direct negotiations with the United States, instead opting to observe developments through Oman. This comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the US, which escalated into military conflict earlier this year. Oman has historically served as a key intermediary in backchannel communications between the two nations, including during talks leading up to the 2015 nuclear agreement. Gharibabadi’s remarks suggest that Iran may be relying on Oman to facilitate any future diplomatic progress, highlighting the current indirect nature of negotiations. Market pricing in the US-Iran peace talks scenario reflects a significant decrease in the likelihood of a diplomatic meeting by the end of July, with odds dropping to 3% from 10% a week ago. Similarly, the prospect of a final nuclear deal by mid-August remains low, with a mere 2% chance. These changes suggest that Gharibabadi’s statement has contributed to a dampened outlook for imminent direct talks or agreements between the US and Iran. Key Takeaways Gharibabadi’s comments suggest a lack of focus on direct negotiations with the US, highlighting Oman’s ro...