US President Donald Trump affirmed his support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, including on the Iran issue, while the Iranian Revolutionary Guard warned against any "aggression" against Iranian facilities. In Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman discussed the progress made in the Iranian-US negotiations mediated by Oman.

Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social that he spoke to Netanyahu, saying, "The call went well. We see eye to eye on all issues."

Iran and the United States began negotiations earlier this month to place restrictions on Tehran's nuclear program, which Western powers say is aimed at developing nuclear weapons.

The two sides concluded a second round of talks on Saturday and agreed to meet again within a week. The talks, mediated by Oman, aim to reach an agreement on Tehran's nuclear program.

Experts from both sides were scheduled to meet in Oman on Wednesday for technical discussions, but Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei confirmed that the expert-level meeting had been postponed until next Saturday.

"Based on Oman's proposal and the approval of the Iranian and American delegations, the technical consultative meeting between the two countries, which was scheduled for Wednesday, has been postponed to Saturday," Baghaei said in a statement.

Omani mediation and Russian role

The Iranian nuclear talks were discussed during a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, a Kremlin official said Tuesday.

"This issue was raised... in the context of Oman's mediation efforts," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

He reiterated his country's position: "Russia is ready to do everything in its power to contribute to the fruitful and effective conclusion of these talks," according to Agence France-Presse.

Russian President Vladimir Putin receives Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq at the Kremlin on Tuesday (AFP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin receives Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq at the Kremlin on Tuesday (AFP)

For his part, Yuri Ushakov, Russian presidential aide for foreign affairs, said, "We discussed the progress made in the negotiations between Iranian and American representatives." He added, "We will see what the results will be. We are in close contact with our Iranian colleagues, and we will provide assistance as much as possible."

In Tehran, government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said that Russia plays an important role in the negotiations due to its nuclear cooperation with Iran and its membership in the Security Council. She emphasized that the talks are being conducted in accordance with national interests, and that the lifting of sanctions must be effective. She also warned against relying on media rumors that "cross Iran's red lines."

Mohajerani emphasized that Iran does not welcome lengthy negotiations and seeks a quick agreement that preserves its interests, praising the atmosphere of the second round. She emphasized that attracting investment requires reforms and stable legislation, and that the government is continuing its program without linking it to negotiations. She also considered the transfer of enriched uranium a non-negotiable red line.

Visit to Beijing

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is visiting China on Wednesday at the invitation of Beijing, ahead of the third round of talks with Washington. The visit will address bilateral relations and "hot" international and regional issues, aiming to strengthen political trust and cooperation between the two countries, according to a report by Agence France-Presse citing the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

During a visit to Moscow last week, Araghchi said that Tehran always holds consultations on nuclear issues with its allies Russia and China.

Oman is mediating between Tehran and Washington as Trump seeks a new nuclear agreement. Russia has also signed a strategic partnership treaty with Iran and is participating in the nuclear talks, asserting that any US military action against Iran would be illegal. China is Iran's largest trading partner and largest importer of its oil, and signed a 25-year strategic agreement with the country in 2021.

Trump said on Monday that the United States had very good talks with Iran, two days after the conclusion of the second round of negotiations in Rome.

Israeli officials have pledged to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, and Netanyahu insists that any negotiations with Iran must lead to the complete dismantling of its nuclear program.

The Israel Hayom website reported on Sunday, citing a source close to the White House, that talks between the United States and Iran are expected to collapse soon. A non-governmental Israeli source said he had a conversation with a senior US official, during which the latter confirmed that "Israel has no reason to be concerned about the progress made in the talks with Iran."

On Saturday, Netanyahu affirmed his commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, stressing that he will not back down from this goal. In a televised statement, Netanyahu said: "I am committed to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. I will not give up, I will not compromise, and I will not retreat from it, not even by a millimeter."

Trump has threatened to attack Iran unless it quickly reaches a new agreement preventing it from developing a nuclear weapon. On Thursday, Trump stated that he is "in no rush" to opt for military action. He told reporters on Friday: "I am for preventing Iran, absolutely, from having a nuclear weapon. They cannot have a nuclear weapon. I want a great, prosperous, and wonderful Iran."

An Israeli official and two informed sources told Reuters on Friday that Israel has not ruled out launching an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities in the coming months.

The Revolutionary Guards warn

Iran's Revolutionary Guard warned on Tuesday of the consequences of "any aggression" targeting the country, declaring its readiness to carry out a "swift and decisive" response. This came after reports indicated that the Israeli military had completed preparations to launch an attack on Iran's nuclear program, amid US threats to use force if negotiations falter.

"Any attack on the foundations of national power or national security will be met with a swift, decisive, and devastating response, in coordination with the rest of the armed forces," Revolutionary Guards spokesman Ali Mohammad Naeini said in an official statement, according to Iranian news agencies.

Naeini indicated the IRGC's readiness to confront any challenge threatening the country's stability and sovereignty. He added that "contemporary threats, including hybrid warfare and multifaceted conspiracies, will not go unanswered."

An anti-Israel billboard reading "Pharaoh will drown again" in Palestine Square in central Tehran (EPA)

An anti-Israel billboard reading "Pharaoh will drown again" in Palestine Square in central Tehran (EPA)

Iran's Revolutionary Guards had previously announced that Iran's military capabilities were not up for discussion in the talks. Iran and the United States began negotiations earlier this month to impose restrictions on Tehran's nuclear program, which Western powers say is aimed at developing nuclear weapons.

Over the past several months, Israel has proposed a series of options to the Trump administration for attacking Iranian facilities, some of which are planned for late spring and summer, according to the sources. The sources say the plans include a combination of airstrikes and special forces operations of varying intensity, and are likely to hinder Tehran's ability to use its nuclear program for military purposes for months, a year, or more.

The New York Times reported on Thursday that Trump asked Netanyahu to refrain from targeting Iranian nuclear facilities in the near term to give diplomacy a chance. However, Israeli officials now believe the military may carry out a limited strike on Iran that would require less American support. This attack would be much smaller than Israel initially proposed.

Speaking to reporters earlier this month, a senior Israeli official acknowledged the urgent need to launch a strike before Iran rebuilds its air defenses. However, the senior official declined to specify a timeline for a potential Israeli move, saying that discussing the matter was "pointless."

Experts assert that Israel needs significant US military support—and weapons—to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities and stockpiles, some of which are located underground.

US sanctions

Meanwhile, the US Treasury Department announced new sanctions on Tuesday against Iranian natural gas tycoon Seyyed Assadollah Imamjoma and his business network, as talks with Tehran over its nuclear program continue, Reuters reported.

The ministry said in a statement that Imam Juma's commercial network is responsible for shipping hundreds of millions of dollars worth of liquefied petroleum gas and crude oil from Iran to foreign markets.

The ministry added that liquefied petroleum gas and crude oil constitute a major source of income for Iran and contribute to financing its nuclear and advanced conventional weapons programs, in addition to financing groups operating on its behalf in the region, such as the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthis in Yemen, and Hamas.

"Imam Juma and his network sought to export thousands of shipments of liquefied petroleum gas, some from the United States, to evade U.S. sanctions and generate revenue for Iran," U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant said in the statement.

The United States imposed sanctions on Iran earlier during the talks.