Greater Middle East (bbabo.net), - Secret talks have taken place between U.S., Iraqi and Iranian officials to “prevent direct confrontation and widespread conflict in the Middle East,” the Washington Post and Reuters reported.
The day after an attack on a base in Jordan that killed three American troops, Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) commander Ismail Kani traveled to Baghdad to meet with representatives of proxy groups there. He was noted to have expressed "concerns about attacks on the United States."
Since February 4, Iran has categorically denied its indirect and direct participation in attacks on US military targets.
The question arises: what is the reason for Washington’s diplomatic activity on the Iranian track, the public demonstration of closed channels in its relations with Tehran?
Iarex.ru columnist Stanislav Tarasov answers such a pressing question:
“Indeed, recently, either in the US media or in some Arab publications, reports began to appear about “secret” negotiations between the United States and Iran. Moreover, as a rule, “leaks” are organized by the American side, and Iran either admits the fact of closed contacts with the United States or remains silent. Moreover, this is happening against the backdrop of an almost unabating information war between the two countries.”
According to the expert, previously closed negotiations were held on the issue of the nuclear agreement, then on the release of American prisoners from Iranian prisons and the lifting of some sanctions related to payments for Iran's imports of electricity and gas. It was indicated that Oman was acting as a mediator.
At the same time, “secrecy” was designated more by the United States, due to the fact that the Joe Biden administration sought to avoid critical attacks from Republicans, the expert pointed out.
There was one more point: in a situation of energy crisis (and in light of OPEC+ decisions to reduce oil production), it was beneficial for the United States to “release” additional volumes of fuel onto the market—in this case, Iranian oil released from sanctions.
But during the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, the closed dialogue between the United States and Iran not only remains, but also began to acquire new qualitative content.
“If we take into account the details of the negotiations to contain Hezbollah in Lebanon or regarding the Houthis in Yemen, then there is a strong feeling that the United States, by organizing “leaks” about negotiations with Iran, is thus trying to put pressure on Israel, as if demonstrating that the prospect of normalizing their relations with Iran will neutralize the geopolitical role and importance of Israel in the Middle East.
It seems that Iran is satisfied with such “political tensions”. On the other hand, the fact of secret negotiations with the United States may raise questions not only from Russia and China. Finally, it is no secret that there are political forces in Iran that are interested in dialogue with the West,” says Tarasov.
In a word, Washington and Tehran, for different reasons and with different goals, are playing a multi-vector political “game”.
“Objectively, this helps reduce the level of regional tension. We'll see what happens next. This becomes especially important in light of the upcoming presidential elections in the United States, because Republicans and some Democrats oppose relations with Iran,” the expert sums up.
bbabo.Net