WASHINGTON DC - US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce on Tuesday declined to comment on whether Washington has sent messages to Tehran regarding the resumption of nuclear talks. However, she emphasized that the administration of President Donald Trump remains committed to promoting stability in the region, including in Syria.
Asked by Rudaw whether Iran had signaled any willingness to return to negotiations, Bruce responded, “As we know, many things have changed in just the last few days. I won’t speak to what messages may have been sent to Iran,” adding that such matters fall under the purview of “the White House and Secretary [of State Marco] Rubio, as the National Security Advisor.”
Indirect, Oman-mediated nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran resumed on April 12. These talks represent the most significant diplomatic engagement between the two countries since 2018, when President Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear accord - formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) - and reimposed harsh sanctions on Iran. In response, Tehran began scaling back its nuclear commitments.
The sixth round of US-Iran nuclear talks was scheduled for June 15 in Muscat, the capital of Oman. However, on June 13, two days before the planned meeting, Israel launched airstrikes in Iran, killing senior military commanders and nuclear scientists. In retaliation, Iran has launched missile and drone attacks on Israel.
The conflict escalated further when the United States intervened on Sunday, striking three key Iranian nuclear sites - Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz. Tehran responded the following day by launching a ballistic missile attack on al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest US military installation in the Middle East.
A US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran went into effect on Tuesday, but it remains unclear whether Tehran is currently willing to resume nuclear negotiations.
On the topic of Syria, Bruce described the appointment of Tom Barrack as the new US ambassador to Damascus as a “very clear indicator” of Washington’s commitment to supporting Syria’s transformation into a “functional, steady, and stable government.”
“This reflects our clear and ongoing commitment,” Bruce said, adding that Barrack’s role underscores US efforts. “It’s a pivotal moment with significant potential for progress.”
Bruce also noted that the US has lifted several sanctions previously imposed on Syria under the regime of former dictator Bashar al-Assad. The move is intended to encourage regional support for Syria’s new government and to strengthen its ability to combat terrorist organizations, particularly the Islamic State (ISIS).
