The United States is placing American citizens in Iran on heightened alert, with the so-called "virtual US embassy" urging them to "immediately leave Iran" and to draw up departure plans that do not rely on assistance from Washington.
The security warning was issued early Friday ahead of scheduled talks between the United States and Iran in Oman, but there was no clear indication that the two sides had reached common ground on the meeting's agenda.
According to American and Iranian officials, the talks are expected to include US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, while the Iranian delegation will be led by the country's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi.
These talks will be the first official contact between Tehran and Washington since June last year, when tensions escalated dangerously after the 12-day war with Israel, which led to US air strikes that caused serious damage to Iran's three main nuclear facilities.
However, strong disagreements over the scope of the talks, as well as their venue, have raised doubts about whether the meeting can yield tangible results, with the possibility of US military intervention remaining open.
Washington is reportedly demanding that Tehran abandon its stockpile of enriched uranium, accept restrictions on its ballistic missile program and stop funding and equipping armed groups in the Middle East. Donald Trump has openly threatened military strikes against Iran if the country does not accept American demands.
For its part, Tehran rejects the US claims, describing them as an unacceptable violation of its national sovereignty, and warns that it will respond forcefully to any attack, hitting American military targets in the region as well as Israel.
"75% chance of hostilities between the US and Iran"
The diplomatic moves come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with the United States ramping up its military presence in the Persian Gulf in recent weeks. Donald Trump has dispatched what he called a "massive armada" to the Middle East, led by the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, ahead of the upcoming talks.
The chances of reaching an agreement or de-escalation through negotiations are considered limited, as the two sides' basic demands remain "very far apart and there is no trust," Bob McNally, president of Rapidan Energy Group, told CNBC.
He estimates there is a 75% chance that the US and Iran will engage in military hostilities in the coming days or weeks. Possible scenarios include a Venezuela-style blockade, selective or limited strikes, and a full-scale military conflict.
Initially, the talks were to be held in Istanbul, due to Turkey's central role as a mediator, with the participation of foreign ministers from Arab countries in the region, such as Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
However, on Tuesday, Tehran unexpectedly requested a change in the location and format of the meeting, proposing that it be held in Oman and limited exclusively to representatives of Iran and the United States.
Iran considers 'mutual respect' a prerequisite for talks with the US
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged today to show "mutual respect" ahead of talks he will have with US President Donald Trump's envoys later in the day in Oman.
"Equality, mutual respect and common interest are not just empty words - they are necessary conditions and pillars for a lasting agreement," the minister, who will represent the Islamic Republic, stressed via X in English.
Source: protothema.gr
