US and Iran Discussed Avoiding a Larger Conflict This Week

According to Axios, high-ranking Biden Administration officials met with Iranian officials in Oman this week to discuss ways to prevent escalating regional attacks.

Brett McGurk, President Joe Biden’s top Middle East adviser, and Abram Paley, the acting U.S. envoy for Iran, engaged in direct talks with Iran for the first time since January. These discussions followed Iran’s attack on Israel from Iranian soil nearly a month ago.

Iran launched drone and missile attacks on April 13 in response to the killing of Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi and five other IRGC officials. This marked the first direct attack on Israel by Iran without the use of proxies.

Israel, with the coordination of the United States and regional partners, successfully intercepted Iranian drones and missiles, conducting a precision strike on an Iranian air defense system. Meanwhile, Iranian-backed Hezbollah attacked a military post in northern Israel with a drone, injuring three Israeli soldiers.

With the November election approaching, the Biden administration is working to prevent a wider regional conflict. Iran’s influence over militia groups that target Israel and U.S. interests in the Red Sea is a key concern. McGurk and Paley met with Omani mediators in Oman this week to discuss de-escalation strategies.