Negotiators from the US and Iran held "constructive" talks on Iran's nuclear program, marking the first direct contact between the Trump administration and Iranian officials. Further meetings are scheduled for next week.
In a significant development in nuclear diplomacy, delegations from Iran and the United States concluded "constructive" talks in Oman, mediated by Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi. The discussions, primarily indirect with messages relayed between separate rooms, marked the first direct contact between an Iranian official and a representative of the Trump administration, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. A brief direct exchange occurred between the delegation heads in the presence of the Omani minister as the meeting ended. Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported a positive atmosphere of mutual respect, with both sides expressing a desire to reach an agreement swiftly, scheduling the next round of talks for April 19 in Oman.
The talks carry high stakes amid escalating tensions, with President Trump issuing a two-month deadline for Iran to accept a deal to significantly reduce or eliminate its nuclear program, threatening military action led by Israel if no agreement is reached. Iran, however, has firmly rejected negotiations under pressure, outlining "red lines" that include no threats, excessive demands on its nuclear program, or restrictions on its defense industry, particularly its ballistic missile program. The backdrop includes Iran’s weakened regional influence due to Israeli strikes on its proxies, the fall of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, and attacks within Iran’s borders, intensifying the urgency of the negotiations.
The discussions aim to forge a new nuclear deal stronger than the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), from which Trump withdrew in 2018, criticizing it as flawed. While Trump emphasizes preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, specifics of the proposed deal remain vague. U.S. officials may push for dismantling Iran’s entire nuclear program, including its civilian energy component, a demand Iran rejects as an attempt to undermine its sovereignty. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi indicated progress toward a negotiation framework, but Tehran insists on retaining its rights under UN nuclear treaties, setting the stage for complex and contentious follow-up talks.
The talks carry high stakes amid escalating tensions, with President Trump issuing a two-month deadline for Iran to accept a deal to significantly reduce or eliminate its nuclear program, threatening military action led by Israel if no agreement is reached. Iran, however, has firmly rejected negotiations under pressure, outlining "red lines" that include no threats, excessive demands on its nuclear program, or restrictions on its defense industry, particularly its ballistic missile program. The backdrop includes Iran’s weakened regional influence due to Israeli strikes on its proxies, the fall of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, and attacks within Iran’s borders, intensifying the urgency of the negotiations.
The discussions aim to forge a new nuclear deal stronger than the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), from which Trump withdrew in 2018, criticizing it as flawed. While Trump emphasizes preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, specifics of the proposed deal remain vague. U.S. officials may push for dismantling Iran’s entire nuclear program, including its civilian energy component, a demand Iran rejects as an attempt to undermine its sovereignty. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi indicated progress toward a negotiation framework, but Tehran insists on retaining its rights under UN nuclear treaties, setting the stage for complex and contentious follow-up talks.
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