Axios: US-Iran talks fail, military strikes increasingly likely

(Patria) - The United States rejected Iran's requests to change the venue and format of talks scheduled for Friday.

This could jeopardize a diplomatic solution and encourage US President Donald Trump towards a military option. This information was confirmed today to Axios by two US officials, reports Index.

According to the initial agreement, the US and Iran were supposed to meet on Friday in Istanbul, with the participation of other Middle Eastern countries as observers.

However, the Iranian side requested yesterday that the talks be moved to Oman and held exclusively bilaterally.

The Iranians wanted to ensure that the talks focused only on nuclear issues, and not on other topics such as the missile program, which is a priority for the US and countries in the region.

US officials considered the Iranian request but decided to reject it today.

"We told them - it's either this way or no way. They responded: 'Well, then no way'" said a senior US official.

He also stated that the US is ready to meet with Iranian representatives this week or next, but only if they return to the originally agreed format.

"We want to reach a real agreement quickly, otherwise other options will be considered" warned the official, alluding to Trump's repeated threats of military action.

Iran's mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Meanwhile, White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner are expected to travel to Qatar tomorrow for talks on Iran with the local prime minister.

According to the current plan, they will return to Miami afterwards, instead of continuing their journey to the meeting with Iranian representatives.