US, Iran eye tentative nuclear talks as regional diplomacy intensifies

The US and Iran may soon be taking tentative steps towards a new nuclear deal, following intensive diplomatic efforts by the Gulf monarchies and Turkey to prevent a destructive regional war.With US President Donald Trump indicating a clear preference for diplomacy over aggression, Washington appears to have dropped proposals to pursue regime change in Tehran and rescue Iranians caught in a brutal crackdown on last month’s protests.“If the Iranian people want to overthrow the regime, that’s up to them,” US Vice-President J.D. Vance told reporters in neighbouring Azerbaijan on Wednesday.“What we are focused on now is the fact that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons.”Trump also appeared to rebuff Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s attempts to persuade him to accept “our views regarding the principles for the negotiations”.US President Donald Trump (right) welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House on Wednesday. Photo: XinhuaNetanyahu is opposed to any US-Iran deal that does not further weaken its capacity to strike Israel, following their 12-day war in June.