Shafaq News/ Senior Iranian and US officials areset to begin high-level talks in Oman on Saturday to revive negotiations overTehran’s accelerating nuclear program, as regional tensions continue toescalate and Washington signals possible military action if diplomacy fails.
The talks will mark the highest-level engagementbetween the two countries since Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclearagreement in 2018. Trump, who returned to office earlier this year, hasreiterated his opposition to a nuclear-armed Iran and described the Omanmeetings as “important,” telling reporters aboard Air Force One that while hehoped for a “prosperous and great” Iran, the country must not obtain nuclearweapons.
While both sides have expressed cautiousoptimism, key differences remain over the format and substance of the talks.Trump has insisted on direct negotiations, while Iran prefers indirectengagement through intermediaries.
According to analysts close to the matter,progress could help ease tensions in a region strained by ongoing conflicts inGaza and Lebanon, cross-border strikes between Iran and Israel, Houthi attackson Red Sea shipping lanes, and political upheaval in Syria. But failure couldfurther destabilize the region and heighten fears of open conflict,particularly given Tehran’s warnings to neighboring states hosting US militarybases that they would face “severe consequences” if involved in any Americanstrike on Iran. Trump, meanwhile, has warned Iran it would face “hell” if noagreement is reached.
Iranian officials said Supreme Leader AyatollahAli Khamenei has given Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi full authority to leadthe negotiations, while US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is set to lead theAmerican side. A report by Axios said National Security Council senior officialEric Trager and nuclear experts from the US State Department will alsoparticipate in the discussions. The first round is expected to begin indirectlybut could shift to direct talks if initial exchanges are positive, according toa source cited by Axios.
Witkoff has conveyed that the US seeks adiplomatic resolution while ensuring Iran cannot obtain nuclear weapons. Hetold the Wall Street Journal that Washington’s red line remains to prevent Iranfrom developing a nuclear bomb and that dismantling Tehran’s nuclear program isa key demand. If Iran refuses, the issue will be referred to Trump for furtheraction.
Iran has described the Oman talks as a “realopportunity” and pledged to engage seriously and constructively. Ali Shamkhani,a top adviser to the Supreme Leader, said Aragchi holds full authority for theindirect talks and that Tehran is seeking a “genuine and fair” deal. He notedthat Iran has put forward practical proposals and that the path to a resolutionwould be “clear and smooth” if the US enters the talks with sincerity.
Tehran also insists its nuclear activities aresolely for peaceful purposes, but Western nations argue that its uraniumenrichment has exceeded civilian needs. Enrichment levels have reached 60%, approachingweapons-grade material.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursdaythat the administration hoped the talks would pave the way for peace, butreiterated that Iran would never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. Tehranresponded by offering the US a “genuine chance,” while accusing Washington ofmaintaining a confrontational stance.
Israel, a close US ally, continues to viewIran’s nuclear ambitions as an existential threat and has warned it would actmilitarily if diplomacy fails.
Analysts say Iran enters the talks underpressure, with its regional influence diminished in recent months following thecollapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria and the weakening of itsallied network — including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis inYemen, and various Shiite groups in Iraq and Syria. However, others argue thatIran's military capabilities and its warnings to US bases in the region couldstrengthen its negotiating position.
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