Turkey linked Iran's refusal to meet with the United States in Istanbul to Khamenei's position

Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected the idea of holding talks between the United States and Iran in Istanbul, insisting that dialogue with Washington is possible solely on nuclear issues and only in the format of continuing earlier consultations in Oman. This was reported by the Hurriyet newspaper on February 5, citing sources.

According to the newspaper, Ankara offered to discuss a wide range of issues in Istanbul, including uranium enrichment, ballistic missiles and the activities of proxy forces, considering them primarily as regional issues. It was assumed that these topics would first be worked out with the states of the region, and then brought up for discussion with the United States, which would actually mean the format of indirect negotiations.

It is noted that the relevant proposal was transmitted to the Iranian leadership through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and at the initial stage, Tehran agreed, which was notified to the Turkish side. However, Khamenei later rejected both the Istanbul meeting itself and the proposed format, opposing the participation of mediators and regional countries. He stressed that the United States remains Iran's only counterparty on the nuclear program.

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At the same time, the talks between the United States and Iran in Oman scheduled for Friday were also canceled. The United States has told Iran that it will not agree to Tehran's demands to change the venue and format of the meeting. If Iran is ready to return to the original format, the meeting may be held this week or next. Special Envoy of the US President Steve Witkoff and the son-in-law of the American leader Jared Kushner will travel to Qatar on Thursday without meeting with the Iranian side.

At the same time, the leaders of at least nine Middle Eastern countries convinced US President Donald Trump not to cancel the meeting with the Iranian side.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.