Iran Open to Nuclear Negotiations, US Pushes to Expand Talks to Missiles

Iranian state media reported on Wednesday that negotiations with the United States are scheduled to be held in Oman on Friday.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday that the United States is prepared to meet with Iran this week, but that the talks must include its missile and nuclear programs.

Pompeo did not confirm a meeting with Iranian religious leaders on Friday, who have violently suppressed some of the most serious protests against their rule since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

“If the Iranians want to meet, we’re ready,” Pompeo told reporters.

“They’ve indicated an interest in meeting and talking. If they change their mind, that’s fine too,” he added, speaking after President Donald Trump ordered a rapid military buildup near Iran’s coast and threatened an attack.

“For the talks to actually mean something, they’re going to have to include some things, and that includes the range of their ballistic missiles, their sponsorship of terrorist organizations throughout the region, their nuclear program, and their treatment of their own people,” Pompeo said.

Iran has refused to discuss its missiles in previous negotiations over its disputed nuclear program, describing the weapons, which could strike Israel, as a tool of self-defense, a right every country possesses.

But pressure is mounting on Iran following the protests and an Israeli bombing campaign last year. Iran has also lost key regional allies with the weakening of Hezbollah in Lebanon and the potential fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Iranian state media said Wednesday that talks with the U.S. would take place in Oman on Friday, while diplomats had previously said the meeting would be in Turkey.

Pompeo said U.S. Ambassador Steve Witkoff was prepared to meet with Iran in Turkey but then received “conflicting reports” about whether Tehran had agreed. Regarding the location of the talks, he said, “Work is still underway on this.”