In a surprise statement on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that the United States and Iran are preparing to engage in direct negotiations over Iran's nuclear program. However, Iran has responded by insisting that these talks will be indirect, mediated by Oman, rather than direct discussions between the two governments, reports Reuters.
Trump confirmed that the initial round of discussions would take place in Oman, a neutral party with good relations with both the U.S. and Iran. Trump stated, "We’re having direct talks with Iran, and they’ve started. It’ll go on Saturday. We have a very big meeting, and we’ll see what can happen." He also warned that if the talks fail, "Iran is going to be in great danger."
On the other hand, Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, took to social media, posting that while discussions would indeed be held at a high level, they would be indirect and mediated by Omani officials. "It is as much an opportunity as it is a test. The ball is in America's court," Araqchi said, emphasizing that Iran was not yet willing to engage directly with the U.S. government.
This development marks a significant shift in the U.S.-Iran diplomatic landscape. The last direct negotiations between the two nations occurred during President Barack Obama’s tenure, leading to the 2015 nuclear agreement, which President Trump later withdrew the U.S. from. The decision to restart negotiations comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East, with both the U.S. and Iran entangled in conflicts involving proxies like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthi rebels.
While Trump has expressed a preference for diplomatic talks over military confrontation, the announcement of direct talks has raised doubts. Iran has long resisted U.S. demands for direct negotiations, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei dismissing the idea in February as "not smart, wise, or honorable."
The timing of these talks is critical. With Israel and Iran exchanging military strikes, and broader instability across the region, the outcome of these talks could have lasting consequences for both sides. Iran has significantly advanced its nuclear capabilities since the U.S. pulled out of the 2015 deal, and Western powers remain concerned about the potential for Iran to develop nuclear weapons.
Tehran continues to assert that its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful civilian purposes, while the U.S. and its allies worry about its potential military dimensions. As these high-stakes talks unfold, the world watches closely, with the possibility of either a breakthrough deal or a further escalation in tensions.
The diplomatic maneuvering also comes at a precarious moment for Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” an alliance forged to counter Israeli and U.S. influence in the Middle East. Recent conflicts involving Hamas, Hezbollah, and U.S. military actions against Iran-backed forces have weakened the group’s standing. The ongoing conflict in Syria and the changing dynamics in Gaza and Lebanon also complicate the picture.
As the U.S. and Iran continue to prepare for talks, the world waits to see whether diplomatic channels can succeed where military threats have not.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
