Iran Ends US Nuclear Talks, Slams Washington for Backing Israel
Iran has delivered a sharp rebuke to the United States, declaring that ongoing nuclear negotiations are now “meaningless” following what it described as Washington’s tacit support for Israel’s recent airstrikes. The decision represents a serious blow to months of behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear programme and de-escalating regional tensions.
Iran Calls Off Dialogue
The Iranian Foreign Ministry, through its spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, announced that Tehran no longer sees value in continuing nuclear negotiations with the US. “The US did a job that made the talks become meaningless,” Baghaei stated, in direct reference to Israel’s coordinated airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure on June 13.
Baghaei added that Iran has yet to decide whether it will attend a planned diplomatic summit in Muscat, Oman. That meeting had been a part of the broader push by international mediators to revive indirect US–Iran nuclear negotiations which had shown fragile progress in recent months.
Accusations Against the United States
Iran blames Washington for what it sees as a double game: publicly endorsing diplomacy while privately enabling Israel’s military aggression. Tehran alleges that the US divided responsibilities with Israel — allowing Tel Aviv to execute airstrikes while Washington avoided public criticism.
Though the United States has denied any involvement in the Israeli offensive, Iran remains unconvinced. The rhetoric out of Tehran suggests the window for trust has closed, and with it, hopes of any short-term diplomatic resolution on nuclear matters.
Breakdown of Nuclear Diplomacy
The now-stalled indirect talks had begun in April, facilitated by Oman, with the goal of reining in Iran’s uranium enrichment in exchange for phased sanctions relief. Iran’s withdrawal from the diplomatic track comes just as world powers were hoping to find middle ground amid mounting regional instability.
With this move, Iran signals that it will no longer entertain US proposals while its cities and military assets remain under threat. Any revival of diplomacy would now require a significant shift in the regional security environment and guarantees of non-aggression — neither of which appear forthcoming.
Regional and Global Implications
This collapse in diplomacy comes amid heightened military action between Israel and Iran, which saw missile exchanges, civilian casualties, and heightened alerts across the Middle East. The failure of talks adds another volatile layer to an already combustible situation.
The US, while maintaining its stance in favor of diplomacy, now faces credibility challenges. Iran’s leadership has made it clear: without a clear distancing from Israel’s military actions, Washington cannot be a trusted interlocutor.
