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Iran Signals Readiness for Nuclear Talks with US in Oman
Tehran has indicated its willingness to engage with Washington in discussions regarding its nuclear program this Saturday in Oman, aiming to finalize an agreement. This development in ongoing Iran nuclear talks comes as international attention focuses on de-escalating tensions. According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while prepared to negotiate, Iran insists that the United States must first rule out any potential military actions. Araghchi emphasized that Iran would “never accept coercion” in these critical negotiations concerning its nuclear program.
Indirect Negotiations in Oman
Araghchi clarified that the impending discussions in Oman would be indirect, a statement that contrasts with President Trump’s earlier unexpected announcement of “direct talks.” Trump, who previously withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear deal, cautioned that Iran would face “great danger” should these upcoming talks prove unsuccessful.
US Demands and Iranian Position
Despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations, the US communicated its objectives to Iran through a letter delivered via the United Arab Emirates last month. This communication, initiated by Trump, emphasized the US desire for a pact preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and averting possible military intervention by the US and Israel.
During Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House, Trump publicly disclosed the Oman talks. Netanyahu subsequently affirmed the consensus between both leaders that “Iran will not have nuclear weapons,” suggesting a “military option” remained viable if discussions stagnated.
Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes only and that it has no intention of developing nuclear weapons. Despite these assurances, Iran has progressively contravened restrictions set forth by the existing nuclear deal. This escalation is reportedly a response to the stringent US sanctions reinstated seven years prior. Reports indicate Iran has accumulated a stockpile of highly-enriched uranium sufficient for manufacturing multiple nuclear devices.
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Trump’s Statements and Iranian Response
President Trump described the upcoming Oman meeting as potentially “very big,” reiterating to reporters in the Oval Office that a negotiated resolution would be “preferable to doing the obvious.” However, he echoed his warning that failure in these talks would constitute “a very bad day for Iran.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister’s Op-Ed
In an opinion piece published in the Washington Post, Foreign Minister Araghchi articulated Iran’s stance, declaring readiness to “engage in earnest and with a view to seal a deal.” He acknowledged the Oman meeting as both “an opportunity” and “a test” for indirect negotiations.
Araghchi voiced “serious doubts” regarding the US government’s genuine commitment, referencing the “maximum pressure” sanctions campaign reinstated by Trump. He stressed the prerequisite for progress: “we first need to agree that there can be no ‘military option’, let alone a ‘military solution’.”
He asserted that “The proud Iranian nation…will never accept coercion and imposition,” while also stating that “there may exist possible concerns about our nuclear programme.” Araghchi offered to “clarify our peaceful intent and take the necessary measures to allay any possible concern,” provided the US demonstrates commitment to diplomacy and adherence to agreements. “The ball is now in America’s court,” he concluded.
Delegations and Expected Outcomes
According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, Araghchi is slated to lead the Iranian delegation in Oman, underscoring the talks’ significance. CBS News, a US media partner of the BBC, reported that Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff would head the US delegation and that the US continues to advocate for direct talks.
Initial US expectations for the meetings involve demanding Iran completely dismantle its nuclear programme. Subsequent discussions involving technical experts would be contingent on the progress of these initial negotiations.
Differing Views on Dismantlement
While US officials have released limited information regarding Trump’s specific demands, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz clarified that the objective is “full dismantlement,” countering Witkoff’s earlier mention of a “verification programme.”
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, in a video statement, reinforced Waltz’s position, advocating for a “Libyan-style” agreement, referencing Libya’s 2003 decision to eliminate its weapons programs. Netanyahu elaborated on this model as involving on-site dismantlement of installations and equipment under US supervision.
He presented an alternative scenario: prolonged negotiations followed by a “military option.”
Israel perceives a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat, maintaining a policy of ambiguity regarding its own nuclear capabilities. Tel Aviv claimed responsibility for an attack last year targeting an Iranian nuclear site, purportedly in retaliation for a missile strike.
A senior Iranian foreign ministry official conveyed to the BBC that Iran would unequivocally reject the dismantlement of its nuclear programme, dismissing the “Libya model” as a basis for negotiations.
Background: 2015 Nuclear Deal
The 2015 accord between Iran, the Obama administration, and other world powers (UK, France, China, Russia, and Germany) placed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities and mandated inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in exchange for sanctions relief.
However, in 2018, Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from this agreement, deeming it insufficient to prevent Iran’s potential acquisition of nuclear weapons. Subsequently, Iran progressively violated the deal’s stipulations. The IAEA reported in February that Iran possessed approximately 275kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity, nearing weapons-grade levels, theoretically sufficient for constructing six nuclear weapons if enriched to 90%.