Iran, US set for nuclear talks in Oman

Iran has confirmed it will hold talks with the United States over its nuclear program, following an announcement by President Donald Trump.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on social media late Monday that “indirect” talks would occur on Saturday, with Oman acting as a mediator.

Iran and the United States will meet in Oman on Saturday for indirect high-level talks.

It is as much an opportunity as it is a test. The ball is in America's court.

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 7, 2025

This development was later confirmed by Iranian state media, which reported that Araghchi would meet with US envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.

Earlier, President Trump had declared that direct talks between Washington and Tehran had already begun and would continue over the weekend. Trump expressed optimism about the potential for a deal but also issued a stark warning: if diplomatic efforts failed, Iran would be in “great danger.”

Trump reiterated his stance that Iran “cannot have nuclear weapons,” warning that failure to reach a deal could result in military action.

“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,” Trump said on Monday during a joint press conference with 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He also remarked that a deal would be preferable, though no further details were provided.

Despite Trump's assertions, Iran has consistently rejected direct negotiations with the US, citing the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal following Washington’s withdrawal in 2018. Tehran maintains that it is not seeking nuclear weapons but insists on indirect diplomacy.

Araghchi’s confirmation on the upcoming talks came hours after Trump’s comments, with Iran describing the talks as “indirect” and stressing that the onus was on the US to demonstrate sincerity in negotiations.

Oman, a key mediator in the region, has facilitated dialogue between the US and Iran in the past, including during the negotiations that led to the 2015 nuclear agreement. The country has long maintained good relations with both Tehran and Washington, making it a neutral venue for such talks.

In the lead-up to the talks, Iranian officials have remained cautious. Araghchi, in particular, expressed that the talks were “as much an opportunity as they are a test.” He also emphasized that the ball was now in America’s court.

Trump’s announcement of direct talks has sparked significant political debate. 'Israeli' Prime Minister Netanyahu, a staunch critic of Iran, has long favored military action over negotiations, viewing Iran’s nuclear capabilities as an existential threat to 'Israel'.

The timing of the talks coincides with escalating regional tensions, including ongoing 'Israeli' airstrikes in Gaza and Lebanon and US military actions in Yemen.

Iran’s regional influence, particularly through proxy networks like Hezbollah and Hamas, has also come under increasing strain. Tehran’s involvement in these conflicts, coupled with setbacks suffered by its allies, has led some analysts to question whether Iran is reassessing its regional strategy.

In a statement, China, which recently hosted talks between Iran and Russia on the nuclear issue, urged the US to demonstrate sincerity in its approach. “As the country that unilaterally withdrew from the comprehensive agreement on the Iran nuclear issue and caused the current situation, the US should show political sincerity and mutual respect,” said Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian.

The outcome of these indirect talks is uncertain, but there is growing recognition that Iran's strategy of projecting power through proxy militias is facing unprecedented challenges.

Should the talks succeed, it could signal a shift in Iran’s broader geopolitical approach, potentially leading to a reduction in its involvement in regional conflicts. However, with military action remaining an option, both sides face a delicate balancing act in their pursuit of diplomacy over confrontation.