Middle East Eye: Secret Negotiations Between Iran and the U.S. Over Gaza at Risk Due to Raisi's Death

The website 'Middle East Eye' reported on Tuesday, citing informed sources, that there have been 'secret negotiations' between the Islamic Republic and the United States regarding developments in Gaza in recent weeks, and that the sudden death of Ibrahim Raisi, the President of Iran, has 'jeopardized' these negotiations. According to three informed Iranian sources, the report states that Brett McGurk, senior advisor to U.S. President Joe Biden on Middle Eastern affairs, recently had indirect negotiations with Ali Bagheri Kani, and these negotiations have progressed. 'Middle East Eye' writes that these negotiations took place this month in Muscat, the capital of Oman, which also hosted secret meetings between Tehran and Washington a decade ago that ultimately led to the 2015 nuclear agreement known as the JCPOA. Previously, Axios had also reported on secret negotiations between Iran and the U.S. in Oman, and now 'Middle East Eye' reveals that the negotiations between Bagheri Kani and McGurk were progressing well and the parties were on the verge of some kind of agreement. At that time, Ali Bagheri Kani was the Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran, but following the death of Hossein Amir-Abdollahian along with Ibrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, he was appointed as the interim head of Iran's Foreign Ministry. According to this report, the negotiations revolved around three topics: the mutual desire of both parties to change the government in Israel, ending the war in Gaza, and preventing the expansion of this war in the region. An analyst close to the Iranian government told 'Middle East Eye' that these negotiations also seem aimed at achieving a ceasefire between the United States on one side and Iran and its allies on the other. Since the beginning of the Gaza war, Iran's allies, including Houthi rebels in Yemen and militia groups in Iraq, have conducted multiple attacks against U.S. interests in the region. This analyst also believes that discussions may have taken place regarding Iran's nuclear program and the reduction of its oil sanctions. 'Middle East Eye' writes that McGurk had a meeting with Saeed Iravani, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, before the start of these negotiations, during which he quoted Joe Biden as saying: 'I will not negotiate with Iran for a comprehensive nuclear agreement before the U.S. elections, as the Iranians cannot adhere to their promises.' The report adds that McGurk stated that Joe Biden faced 'severe pressure and humiliation' from Republicans after Iran refused to agree to revive the JCPOA in 2022, and Biden has signaled to the Iranians that, in his view, the JCPOA is completely destroyed, and he will start comprehensive negotiations with Iran after the U.S. presidential elections that will also include regional issues. 'Middle East Eye' continues by stating that the next round of negotiations between Iran and the United States is no longer expected to take place soon, and since early elections are set to be held in Iran and the internal situation is fraught with uncertainties, it is unlikely that major decisions will be made in its foreign policy.