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Iran Warns of ‘Destructive’ Influence Ahead of Netanyahu’s Washington Visit
Iran warns that Israel is undermining regional diplomacy ahead of PM Netanyahu’s Washington visit, as Tehran and Washington resume talks focused on Iran’s nuclear programme and sanctions relief.
ND
by News Desk
2026-02-10
Iran Warns of ‘Destructive’ Influence Ahead of Netanyahu’s Washington Visit

Iran on Tuesday warned of what it described as “destructive” influences on diplomatic efforts ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, where talks are expected to focus on ongoing US negotiations with Tehran.

Speaking at a weekly press briefing, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei said that Iran’s negotiations were strictly with the United States and urged Washington to act independently.

“Our negotiating party is America. It is up to America to decide to act independently of the pressures and destructive influences that are detrimental to the region,” Baqaei said.

He accused Israel of consistently attempting to derail diplomatic initiatives in the Middle East. “The Zionist regime has repeatedly, as a saboteur, shown that it opposes any diplomatic process in our region that leads to peace,” he added.

Tehran and Washington resumed talks in Muscat on Friday, months after earlier negotiations collapsed following Israel’s unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran last June, which sparked a 12-day war between the two regional rivals.

During the conflict, Israel targeted senior Iranian military officials, nuclear scientists, and nuclear facilities, as well as residential areas. The United States later joined the campaign, launching its own strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites.

Iran responded by firing drones and missiles at Israel and targeting the largest US military base in the Middle East, located in Qatar.

Referring to the conflict, Baqaei said the experience had reinforced Iran’s resolve to pursue its interests through diplomatic means. “The June experience was a very bad experience. Therefore, taking these experiences into account, we are determined to secure Iran’s national interests through diplomacy,” he said.

However, Baqaei stressed that Iran’s engagement would remain limited to the nuclear issue in exchange for sanctions relief. Tehran has repeatedly rejected negotiations that extend beyond its nuclear programme.

On Saturday, Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that the Israeli prime minister believes any agreement with Iran must include restrictions on Tehran’s ballistic missile programme and an end to its support for allied regional groups.

The renewed diplomatic push comes amid heightened regional tensions. Talks followed threats from Washington and the deployment of a US aircraft carrier group to the region after Iran’s deadly crackdown on anti-government protests last month.

Iranian authorities said the protests, which erupted in late December over rising living costs, began as peaceful demonstrations but later escalated into violent unrest involving killings and vandalism. Tehran has accused the United States and Israel of inflaming the situation.

As diplomatic efforts resume, sharp divisions remain over the scope and direction of negotiations, raising questions over whether the latest talks can yield a sustainable breakthrough.
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Iran

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MiddleEast

NuclearDiplomacy

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