London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Oct 18, 2026

US warns that if Sunday Iran talks aren’t productive, ‘they won’t continue’

US warns that if Sunday Iran talks aren’t productive, ‘they won’t continue’

US Special Envoy Signals Potential Shift in Strategy if Upcoming Discussions Fail to Yield Results
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has issued a warning that future negotiations with Iran regarding its nuclear program will not continue if the upcoming talks scheduled for Sunday do not yield productive results.

Witkoff emphasized that a lack of progress could lead the United States to reassess its approach.

In an interview, he noted that the US had refrained from holding another round of talks prior to this weekend to allow for clearer understandings with Iran, which are deemed necessary for meaningful discussions.

The upcoming high-level talks in Oman are expected to focus on a broader framework for future negotiations, although a technical team responsible for detailed aspects such as sanctions relief is not anticipated to participate.

Sources indicate that these discussions could involve both direct and indirect exchanges between the two nations.

Witkoff elaborated on the US expectations for the negotiations, stating unequivocally that an enrichment program must be dismantled, describing it as a 'red line' for the US.

This encompasses dismantling Iran’s enrichment facilities located at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, and ensuring that no processes related to weaponization are permitted.

In contrast, Iranian officials maintain that the ability to enrich uranium is a non-negotiable right.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reinforced this stance, asserting on social media that Iran has every right to possess the full nuclear fuel cycle.

Witkoff also drew parallels between the Iran negotiations and talks previously held with Russia concerning the Ukraine conflict, suggesting that the US may present incentives aimed at fostering a more cooperative relationship.

He expressed a vision where Iran could integrate into the international community, with opportunities for strategic partnerships contingent on Iran ceasing provocative actions.

The discussions will be exclusively centered on Iran's nuclear ambitions, marking a departure from earlier attempts by the Trump administration that sought to address a wider spectrum of issues, including Iran's regional activities and support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

Witkoff acknowledged the US stance on Iran's regional behavior but emphasized that such topics should remain distinct from the urgent nuclear discussions, which are deemed essential and immediate.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Competition and Markets Authority Launches Formal Inquiry Into Corporate Artificial Intelligence Partnerships
Automotive Industry Leaders Urge Westminster to Accelerate Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Rollout
Home Office Expands Digital Border Security Framework With Mandatory Electronic Travel Authorizations Across United Kingdom
Northern Ireland Executive Reaches Final Consensus on Public Sector Pay Reform and Budget Allocations
Welsh First Minister Secures Additional Funding for Rural Agricultural Transition and Sustainable Farming Schemes
Scottish Government Unveils Accelerated Regional Infrastructure Strategy to Boost Clean Energy Manufacturing
National Health Service England Launches Emergency Recruitment Drive to Alleviate Severe Acute Care Winter Backlogs
Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee Signals Cautious Approach to Interest Rate Reductions Amid Persistent Wage Growth
British Government Finalizes Emergency Energy Support Package to Protect Households From Winter Price Surges
Russell Brand Trial Begins at Southwark Crown Court
UK Parliament to Debate Climate Risks and Council Tax Following Public Petitions
Department for Transport Demands Safety Audits Following Regional Rail Disruptions
House of Lords Scrutinizes Amendments to Armed Forces Bill
Devolved Administrations in Scotland and Wales Criticize Post-Brexit Funding Framework
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Defends Middle East Military Support Under Parliamentary Scrutiny
NHS Leaders Warn of Severe Pressure on Hospitals from Winter Virus Outbreaks
Retailers and Business Groups Lobby Chancellor for Relief from Rising Employment Taxes
City of London Taskforce Urges Radical Reform to Prevent UK From Becoming "Incubator Nation"
Bank of England Officials Signal Potential November Interest Rate Hike
Institute for Fiscal Studies Warns of £35 Billion Funding Gap in Upcoming Autumn Budget
IMF Upgrades UK Growth Forecast to 1.3% for 2026
Former UUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson sentenced to 15 years in prison for historical child sex offences
UK ministers adopt independent commission blueprint to fast-track AI in the NHS
Labour leadership orders local councillors to end power-sharing deals with Green Party
UK government considers regulatory intervention in proposed Sky and ITV merger
Environment Agency declares severe drought across six English regions as reservoirs hit critical lows
NHS England issues new guidance prohibiting transgender women from female-only wards
Norwegian teenager sentenced to 20 years for part of Iran-backed assassination plot in Britain
UK government threatens complete visa ban on Eritrea over refusal to accept deportees
UK Treasury lobbies UBS to move global headquarters to London amid banking sector tax threats
MI5 Warns of Growing Russian Sabotage and Espionage Threats Across Britain
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham Plans Brussels Talks to Renegotiate Post-Brexit Trade Deal
MI5 Warns of Rising Russian and Iranian Sabotage Threats to British Military Facilities
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham Pledges Closer EU Ties as MI5 Reveals Russian Brexit Interference
UK Orders Security Review Following Reported Killing of Former Politician Ann Widdecombe
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham Meets German Chancellor Merz to Strengthen European Security Ties
Nearly 100,000 NHS Patients Treated in Hospital Corridors as England Braces for Winter Pressures
UK Government Rejects US-Russia Diesel Agreement and Reaffirms Sanctions Against Moscow
UK and Germany Agree to Deepen Security and Economic Cooperation Following Berlin Talks
British Prime Minister Burnham Pledges Closer EU Ties During Visit to Germany
UK Announces New Sanctions on 17 Russia-Linked Entities During Foreign Secretary's Ukraine Visit
UK and Germany Finalize Kensington Treaty to Strengthen Defense and Technology Cooperation
Britain Maintains Diplomatic Mission in East Jerusalem Despite Israeli Closure Deadline
English Councils Push Government to Rethink Proposed Funding Cuts
Scottish Homebuilding Falls to Lowest Level in 11 Years
BBC Chief Matt Brittin Defends Restructuring as Staff Challenge Job Cuts
UK Finance Warns High Energy Costs and Bond Yields Are Complicating Fiscal Outlook
UK Adopts All 44 Recommendations on Regulating AI in Healthcare
Chancellor John Healey Prepares Autumn Budget as Borrowing Costs Strain Public Finances
UK Investigators See Strong Indications of Iranian Link After RAF Fairford Security Operation
×