Iran seeks indirect negotiations with the US and cautions neighboring nations about attacks targeting it

Iran is resisting U.S. demands to engage in direct negotiations regarding its nuclear program or face bombing, cautioning neighboring countries that host U.S. bases that they may be targeted if they take part, according to a high-ranking Iranian official.

While Iran has dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s request for direct discussions, it seeks to maintain indirect talks via Oman, a longstanding route for communications between the opposing nations, according to the official who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity.

The official stated that while that route might be “challenging,” discussions could start soon if U.S. communication backed it. Iran has sent warnings to Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, and Bahrain that any assistance for a U.S. strike on Iran, including allowing U.S. military access to their airspace or land during the attack, would be viewed as an act of aggression, the official stated.

The official stated that such an action “will lead to serious repercussions for them,” noting that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had put Iran’s military on heightened alert.

Trump’s warnings of potential military action against Iran have heightened existing tensions in the region following open conflict in Gaza and Lebanon, military strikes in Yemen, a leadership shift in Syria, and Israeli-Iranian skirmishes.

Concerns about a larger regional conflict have disturbed nations surrounding the Gulf, a body of water flanked by Iran on one side and U.S.-aligned Arab monarchies on the other, which holds a substantial share of the world’s oil resources.

Representatives from the governments of Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain have not promptly replied to inquiries for remarks. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry stated it was unaware of any warning, although such messages could be communicated through different channels.

On Wednesday, Iranian state media conveyed that Kuwait had assured Iran that it would not permit any hostile actions aimed at other nations from its territory. Iran’s partner Russia stated on Thursday that U.S. military strike threats toward the Islamic Republic were intolerable and on Friday urged for calm.

Iran seeks to increase support from Russia, but has doubts regarding Moscow’s loyalty to its ally, stated another Iranian official. This “hinges on the dynamics” of the relationship between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the official stated.