US Media: Trump Envoy Secretly Meets with Nuclear Experts in Tennessee to Prepare for Role in Iran Nuclear Talks

Odaily reported that, according to AXIOS, US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner traveled on Thursday to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee to consult with a team of technical experts who may play a role in nuclear negotiations with Iran. The White House is currently seeking to establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Iran to end the conflict and initiate in-depth nuclear talks, and hopes to have experts on standby when negotiations begin. According to US officials involved in mediation and regional sources, the US and Iran still disagree on several details of the MOU. Sources described the negotiations as being in their final stages, but it remains unclear whether an agreement will ultimately be reached. One US official stated, "The meeting in Oak Ridge does not mean an agreement is imminent, but it signals that the talks have entered a very serious phase, with a high likelihood of reaching an agreement, and we want to be prepared." Additionally, two US officials confirmed that they and Kushner are visiting the Department of Energy facilities in Oak Ridge. These two US officials stated that a team of approximately 100 experts has been recently assembled to participate in nuclear talks once a preliminary agreement is reached. The envoy's trip was specifically to meet with members of this team and discuss preparations for a potential nuclear agreement. (Jin Shi)