Iranian military forces are prepared to "immediately" retaliate against any U.S. attack, Tehran's top diplomat warned on Wednesday, as more American military assets arrived in the region and U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to launch a new attack on the country.
Meanwhile, Iran and the United States are to hold a high-level nuclear meeting in Oman this Friday, mediated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkish media announced that the upcoming nuclear negotiations will bring together Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and US Envoy Steve Witkoff.
To know more about the developments, TABNAK reached out to Tareq Rauf, former head of the Transparency Department of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Following is the full text of his comments:
Turkey has acted as a mediator between Iran and the United States, and negotiations between Tehran and Washington are set to be held on Friday in Istanbul, Turkey. Why did the United States choose diplomacy?
After his initial bluster about attacking Iran, Tehran pushed back and threatened massive retaliation against Israel. Record shows that when those threatened by Trump stand up and push back, he retracts. Netanyahu now knows that Iranian missiles can break through the Iron Dome and David's Sling, and it was he called Trump in June 2025 to get a ceasefire as Israel was running out of interceptors and Iranian missiles were hitting their targets. Plus the US had used up 25%+ of its THAAD interceptors. Now Iran is ready, unlike in June 2025. Israel can defend max against Iranian salvo of about 700 missiles, but Iran can fire missile salvo of more than 700 missiles, hence Netanyahu does not want a US attack now, same for [P]GCC. Therefore, Iran deterrence is working. However, as we know, Iran is pull of traitors and US/Israeli agents at all levels hence Iran is vulnerable to another surprise attack and decapitation strike.
In addition to Turkey, other countries also expressed readiness to mediate during the escalation of tensions between Iran and the United States. Why was Turkey chosen as the mediator?
I think Turkiye was chosen as it seems Iran trusts them.
It has been announced that Iran’s enriched uranium may possibly be transferred to Russia, and Moscow had also expressed readiness in this regard. Some members of the Iranian parliament had stated that during Ali Larijani’s visit to Russia, an agreement may have been reached on transferring Iran’s enriched uranium to Russia. Nevertheless, Ali Bagheri Kani, Larijani’s deputy, stated that Iranian officials have no intention of transferring enriched nuclear materials to any country and that the negotiations are not at all focused on such an issue. Could the United States agree to such a matter?
where is the 20% and 60% HEU? If at Natanz and Fordow, very likely the cylinders / containers would be destroyed, damaged an intact ? How will the Agency reconstitute nuclear material balance if some or all cylinders are damaged / destroyed, as the UF6 in powder form would have mixed with the debris and it would be very difficult if not impossible to recover it? The practical approach would be to seal Fordow in situ and install variety of monitors and C/S measures, perhaps same for Natanz? Iran would need to provide some credible data on the quantity/ isotopic of the material sealed in situ at destroyed sites? Technical imbeciles are clamouring for return of inductors to the bombed sites which is impractical and difficult. One massive ordnance penetrator dropped on Natanz did not explode and its 2000+kg of high explosives could be in an stable state and detonate if disturbed
Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s foreign minister, said at previous Friday’s meeting with his Iranian counterpart that any potential negotiations would cover various issues and proceed on a “issue-by-issue” (step-by-step) basis. The Financial Times also reported on Monday that negotiations between Washington and Tehran would, in the first stage, be limited to the “nuclear program.” To what extent does a step-by-step approach increase the chances of success? In the nuclear field, will the U.S.-proposed precondition of “zero enrichment” be resolvable?
Iran is finished if it surrenders to zero enrichment and agrees to limits on missiles including max range of 500km. This comes from UN Security Council Resolution 987 of 1991 against Iraq, which limited Iraq to missiles not exceeding 150km. This would result in Israel having total military superiority and immunity to hit Iran and Arab States, who would be unable to defend themselves. Trump is relaying Netanyahu's agenda here. Given damages to Natanz and Fordow, and Esfahan, it will take Iran 5+(?) years to reconstitute enrichment. Trump has three years left in office. Just as Putin is stringing along Trump, perhaps Iran can do same and make deal with Trump for investing in Iran, building Trump Tower and resort on Kish Island, and get into crypto currency with son-in-law of Trump, give him opportunity to make money.
