Iran has expressed its desire for a “genuine and equitable” agreement regarding its nuclear program, as the United States indicated its readiness to consider compromises ahead of crucial talks this weekend—while firmly stating that Tehran cannot possess a nuclear weapon.
The two long-standing adversaries are scheduled to meet today in Oman, following weeks after a letter from US President Donald Trump to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which sought diplomatic engagement but also warned of potential military action if Iran does not comply.
“Tehran is not merely putting on a show or talking for the cameras; it is pursuing a genuine and fair agreement with significant and actionable proposals ready,” Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Mr. Khamenei, shared on X.
He confirmed that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was traveling to Oman “with full authority for indirect discussions with America” and noted that if Washington demonstrates goodwill, the path ahead would be “smooth”.
“I want Iran to be a wonderful, great, happy country. However, they cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Mr. Trump stated to reporters aboard Air Force One, just hours before his envoy Steve Witkoff was set to meet Mr. Araghchi.
Mr. Witkoff, a close associate of Trump who acts as his international envoy, expressed a willingness to be flexible as the talks approached.
In comments to The Wall Street Journal, Mr. Witkoff indicated that “our position today” commences with insisting that Iran completely dismantle its nuclear program—a stance held by hardliners around Mr. Trump that few believe Iran would accept.
“This doesn’t imply that we won’t explore alternative avenues for compromise between the two nations,” Mr. Witkoff said to the publication.
“Our red line is that there cannot be weaponization of your nuclear capabilities,” he added.
Former US president Barack Obama brokered a deal in 2015 aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon without demanding the complete dismantlement of its contentious program.
Mr. Trump condemned the agreement as inadequate and revoked it shortly after assuming office, implementing extensive sanctions on Iran’s oil sector instead.
Tehran complied with the deal for one year before beginning to roll back its own commitments.
US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters while in flight on Air Force One
‘Hostile rhetoric’
In anticipation of the talks, Mr. Trump reiterated that military action remains “absolutely” possible should negotiations fail.
Iran responded by stating that it could expel United Nations nuclear inspectors, leading to a US warning that this would constitute an “escalation”.
Iran has consistently denied any intention to acquire nuclear weapons.
Yesterday, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei noted that Iran was “giving diplomacy a real chance in good faith and full vigilance”.
“America should acknowledge this decision, which was made despite their hostile rhetoric,” he stated.
On Thursday, Washington imposed new sanctions on Iran, focusing on its oil network and nuclear program.
Iran’s nuclear agency chief Mohammad Eslami downplayed the effects of these sanctions.
“They have exerted maximum pressure through various sanctions, yet they have failed to stop the country from making progress,” he remarked.
“They still believe they can halt this nation with threats, intimidation, psychological operations, or foolish actions.”
Ahead of the talks in Oman, Mr. Witkoff—who is also working towards ending the conflict in Ukraine—visited Russia, which maintains close relations with Iran.
The European Union, which supported the Obama-era agreement, stated yesterday that “there is no substitute for diplomacy” regarding the Iranian nuclear issue.
Changed regional climate
Mr. Trump announced the upcoming talks on Monday during a visit from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington, who has cautioned that military action will be “inevitable” if diplomacy takes too long.
Iran and Israel have directly confronted each other for the first time since the October 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas, which is backed by Tehran.
Hamas in Gaza has incurred heavy losses, as has Iranian-supported Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran’s main regional ally, Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, was ousted in December.
While Western powers seek to include Iran’s ballistic missile program and regional influence in negotiations, Tehran insists that it will only discuss its nuclear program.
“If the US side avoids raising irrelevant issues and demands, and refrains from threats and intimidation, there is a strong possibility of reaching an agreement,” stated deputy foreign minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi.
Hardline Iranian media express skepticism about the talks.
The Kayhan newspaper warned that pursuing negotiations with the United States in hopes of lifting sanctions is a “failed strategy”.
