Fact Check: "Iran and the United States were scheduled to attend a 6th round of indirect nuclear talks in Oman on June 15, 2023, before Israel's military offensive."
What We Know
On June 12, 2023, Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi announced that Iran and the United States were indeed scheduled to hold a sixth round of indirect nuclear talks in Muscat, Oman, on June 15, 2023. This announcement came amid rising regional tensions, particularly following military actions involving Israel and Iran (AP News, Reuters). The talks were expected to include both direct and indirect discussions, similar to previous rounds (AP News).
However, just days later, on June 14, 2023, the situation shifted dramatically. Following Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian military and nuclear sites, Oman’s Foreign Minister confirmed that the planned talks would not take place as scheduled. He stated that the ongoing military actions made the talks "unjustifiable" from Iran's perspective (AP News, The Hill).
Analysis
The claim that Iran and the United States were scheduled to attend a sixth round of indirect nuclear talks in Oman on June 15, 2023, is supported by credible sources, including official announcements from Oman’s government. The initial confirmation of the talks was made by Oman’s Foreign Minister, a reliable source given Oman’s role as a mediator in these discussions (AP News, Reuters).
However, the subsequent cancellation of the talks due to Israel's military offensive raises questions about the context in which these negotiations were to occur. The Israeli strikes, which were described as significant and targeted against Iranian nuclear capabilities, created a volatile environment that led Iranian officials to deem the talks inappropriate (AP News, The Hill). This indicates that while the talks were indeed scheduled, external factors (the Israeli military actions) directly influenced their cancellation.
The reliability of the sources reporting on the initial scheduling and subsequent cancellation is high, as they include major news organizations with established credibility in international reporting. However, the framing of the situation varies; some sources emphasize the diplomatic efforts while others focus on the military escalation, which could introduce bias depending on the outlet's perspective.
Conclusion
The claim that Iran and the United States were scheduled to attend a sixth round of indirect nuclear talks in Oman on June 15, 2023, is Partially True. While the talks were indeed scheduled and confirmed by credible sources, they were subsequently canceled due to the escalation of military conflict initiated by Israel. This context is crucial for understanding the dynamics surrounding the negotiations and the reasons for their cancellation.
