Iran condemned the US threats of war and sanctions against Oman over its alleged cooperation with Iran, calling it yet another sign of the “moral bankruptcy” of the US government and its policy making.

The US and Iran conducted their fourth round of indirect nuclear talks on May 11 in Oman, after which Trump claimed the US had submitted a written proposal to Iran for consideration.

According to the Yemeni delegation, the talks were focused on critical issues related to payment of salaries, lifting of the blockade, and withdrawal of foreign troops. The Saudi-led international coalition continues to maintain a devastating blockade on Houthi-controlled regions

The peace talks had been suspended in July after the two sides could not reach an agreement on a number of economic and humanitarian issues

The Oman-mediated peace talks to end the nine-year-old war in Yemen received a boost after China brokered a rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia last month. Media reports say Saudi Arabia and the Houthis agreed on the draft of a ceasefire agreement last month, which lays out the plan for a more detailed negotiation

The breakthrough, which is reportedly a result of Omani mediation, comes even as the Houthis and forces of Saudi-backed Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi continue fighting over the Marib province

The country is pursuing a gradual “Omanization” of jobs, replacing foreign workers with citizens, citing rising domestic unemployment and slowing of economic growth