UK security adviser attended US-Iran talks and judged deal was within reach

UK Security Adviser Attended US-Iran Talks and Judged Deal Was Within Reach

The Guardian has uncovered that Britain’s national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, participated in the final discussions between the US and Iran, concluding the offer from Tehran on its nuclear programme was substantial enough to avert an immediate military escalation. According to sources, Powell assessed that significant progress had been achieved during the late February meetings in Geneva, describing the proposed agreement as “surprising.”

Two days after the talks concluded, and shortly before a new round of technical discussions was scheduled in Vienna, the US and Israel launched an attack on Iran. Powell’s active role in the Geneva talks, along with his close monitoring of developments, was confirmed by three independent sources. One source noted that Powell was present at Oman’s ambassadorial residence in Cologny, acting as an adviser, underscoring broader concerns about US expertise in the negotiations, particularly regarding Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

UK’s Reluctance and Diplomatic Stance

While the US and Israel acted decisively, the UK government hesitated to endorse the strike. This reluctance has strained the UK-US relationship, as officials believed the attack was premature. The UK lacked evidence of an immediate Iranian missile threat to Europe or a nuclear weapon in the near future, prompting its decision to view the assault as unlawful.

“Jonathan thought there was a deal to be done, but Iran were not quite there yet, especially on the issue of UN inspections of its nuclear sites.”

Further details emerged from a former official, who stated: “Witkoff and Kushner did not bring a US technical team with them. They relied on Grossi as their expert, but that is not his role. So Jonathan Powell took his own team.” The British delegation was impressed by Iran’s commitment to a permanent agreement, unlike the 2015 nuclear deal, which included sunset clauses.

Oman’s Role in Mediation

The Geneva talks were mediated by Oman’s foreign minister, Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi. Gulf diplomats did not specify the rationale for Powell’s inclusion in the discussions, though it may reflect his long-standing ties with the US, including his role as Tony Blair’s chief of staff. Downing Street has yet to comment on Powell’s presence or his evaluation of the talks.

Trump has criticized Keir Starmer for not supporting the US attack, particularly for initially withholding the use of British military bases until Iran’s attacks on Gulf allies intensified. The UK’s involvement in the talks provided it with grounds to determine whether diplomatic avenues had been exhausted before authorizing military action.

Iran also agreed to down-blend its 440kg stockpile of highly enriched uranium under the proposed deal, marking a key concession in the negotiations.