AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Following reports about negotiations between Iran and the United States, Sayed Abbas Araghchi confirmed that the talks are set to be held in Muscat. At the same time, military threats by Donald Trump against Iran have continued, unfolding alongside Iran’s emphasis on its defensive readiness and Tehran’s stated willingness to pursue a diplomatic path.
Hesham al-Halabi, advisor to Egypt’s Higher Academy for Military Strategic Studies, described the negotiations as a positive step toward preventing war, stressing that both sides have entered the process with the aim of avoiding further escalation. However, citing past experience, he said Iran has reason to be cautious about the likelihood of full U.S. compliance with any potential agreements.
According to al-Halabi, deep-rooted disputes and the mistrust created after the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement will hinder the achievement of fundamental outcomes in the talks. Even so, he noted that continued dialogue could reduce the intensity of tensions, although strengthening this process would require a prolonged period of time.
Israel’s Role and Regional Concerns Over Escalation
The strategic analyst, referring to Israel’s position, said Tel Aviv has no interest in an agreement between Iran and the United States and prefers increased military pressure on Tehran. Nonetheless, he assessed the likelihood of Israeli military action before or during the negotiations as low, arguing that Washington is seeking to prevent escalation at this stage.
Al-Halabi also warned that the mutual threats exchanged between Iran and the United States should be taken seriously, given the strategic nature of their differences. He emphasized that any war between the two countries would not only inflict human and economic losses on both sides but would also have far-reaching consequences for the wider region. For this reason, he said, regional governments are seeking to play mediating roles to prevent the crisis from expanding.
Iran’s Missile Capability and U.S. Concerns
The Egyptian official attributed the U.S. delay in taking military action against Iran to Washington’s preference for using pressure and threats to push Tehran toward negotiations, describing this approach as an example of “brinkmanship.”
Al-Halabi concluded by stressing that Iran’s missile capability has reached a level at which it could deliver an effective response in the event of an attack, a factor he identified as one of the main reasons behind U.S. caution in pursuing a military confrontation with Iran.
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