As Iran and the US convene in Oman for bilateral talks, reports suggest Muslim-majority states are pushing for a framework that would include a non-aggression pact, curbs on Iran’s nuclear program and its arms support for allied militants, and reassurances on its missiles.
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan worked on the framework proposal ahead of the Friday talks, The Times of Israel reported, citing two Middle Eastern diplomats.
The proposal includes a non-aggression pact under which Washington and Tehran would agree not to target one another, the report said, adding that the pact would also cover allies and Iran-backed armed groups in the region.
The framework drafted by the six countries would also address Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missiles and Iran-backed armed groups, according to the report.
One of the diplomats cited in the report acknowledged that binding Israel to such an agreement would be difficult.
Proposed Iran commitments
Separately, Al Jazeera reported that mediators from Qatar, Turkey and Egypt have presented Iran and the United States with a framework of key principles to be discussed in Friday’s talks, citing two sources familiar with the negotiations.
Under that proposal, Iran would commit to zero uranium enrichment for three years, after which it would limit enrichment to below 1.5 percent, the report said.
Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium — including about 440 kilograms enriched to 60 percent — would be transferred to a third country under the framework, according to the report.
The Al Jazeera report said the proposal also includes a ban on Iran's initiation of ballistic missile attacks and a commitment by Iran not to transfer weapons or technologies to its allied armed groups in the region.
Iran and the United States have not yet reacted to these reports.
Iran’s foreign ministry said on Thursday the negotiations would focus solely on the nuclear issue, underscoring Tehran’s position that other matters — including missiles and regional activities — are off the table.
A day earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington expects talks with Iran to address a range of issues beyond the nuclear file.
“I think in order for talks to actually lead to something meaningful, they will have to include certain things, and that includes the range of their ballistic missiles. That includes their sponsorship of terrorist organizations across the region. That includes the nuclear program, and that includes the treatment of their own people,” Rubio said, referring to items on the US agenda for Friday’s talks with Tehran.
