Iran pressed the Biden administration for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas during secret talks in Oman, a New York Times report reveals.
White House Middle East adviser Brett McGurk and special envoy to Iran Abram Paley allegedly met with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani in Oman in late January. Citing a US high-ranking official, the parties did not speak directly but rather through Omani intermediaries.
The primary concern on the Iranian agenda was putting an end to the Gaza war, while the Americans were seeking an end to Houthi missile and drone strikes, which have jammed shipping lanes and caused enormous problems for global supply chains.
The White House wanted to demonstrate an openness to diplomacy with Iran but was prepared to resort to military action should these diplomatic attempts prove a waste of time, says the source.
The State Department declined to comment on the report or provide any further details.
“We aren’t going to comment on any details of our communications with Iran, other than to say that since October 7th, all of them have been focused on raising the full range of threats emanating from Iran and the need for Iran to cease its across-the-board escalation,” a State Department spokesperson said.
