Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has granted approval for direct negotiations with the United States concerning its controversial nuclear program, according to a report by U.K. based Amwaj Media.
The article said that sources within Iran revealed to Amwaj that Ali Baqeri-Kani, Iran's deputy foreign minister for political affairs and chief nuclear negotiator, is prepared to convene with Brett McGurk, the White House coordinator for the Middle East, in Oman.
The report stated that Tehran's intention is to resume discussions aimed at bringing the United States back into the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), where negotiations had previously broken down in late 2022.
The United States has shown limited official enthusiasm for rejoining the negotiations. However, the Biden administration has consistently emphasized diplomacy as its preferred means of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Recent diplomatic efforts, including a prisoner exchange with Tehran that involved the release of approximately $6 billion in sanctioned Iranian funds, underscore Washington's commitment to this approach.
American political observers agree that there is little chance of an agreement being completed before the 2024 U.S. elections.
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