Report: US, Vatican, Israel and Iran discussing Hezbollah in Oman

Major contacts over Lebanon are being led by Washington and the Vatican and Israeli, U.S. and Iranian officials are meeting in Oman, Lebanon’s Nidaa al-Watan newspaper reported on Friday.

“Shuttle meetings are taking place in the Sultanate of Oman revolving around rearranging the regional landscape, from Iran to Lebanon. Hezbollah is on the negotiating table, and both the Americans and Israelis are discussing this file; therefore, public statements do not reflect the reality of what is happening under the table,” the daily said.

“Hezbollah's current adherence to its weaponry and its escalating rhetoric stem from the fact that this arsenal is a subject of negotiation. On one hand, Hezbollah seeks to secure political gains and refuses to lay down its arms for nothing in return. On the other hand, the Iranians intend to play the ‘weapons card’ to the very end, offering it in the ‘buying and selling market’ and refusing to concede it -- especially since the head of the regime is now under threat and in danger,” the newspaper added.

It reminded that President Joseph Aoun had recently visited Oman to “request mediation and facilitate the issue of limiting weapons” to the state.

“Aoun succeeded in highlighting the file, particularly since Oman maintains channels of communication with the U.S., Israel and Iran, and any potential settlement may lead to a resolution of the weapons issue without the need for internal conflict,” Nidaa al-Watan said.