US and Iran hold constructive first round of nuclear talks
Indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States, focusing on the nuclear program and sanctions relief, concluded in Muscat, the capital of Oman. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the meeting lasted two and a half hours and was described as "constructive."
Iran and the United States held nuclear talks in Oman on Saturday, their first face-to-face meeting since US President Donald Trump returned to office. The envoys described the exchange as constructive and anticipate further negotiations for next Saturday.
The Iranian delegation was led by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Abbas Araghchi, while the US delegation was led by Steve Witkoff, US Special Envoy for the Middle East.
Iran's state broadcaster revealed that the envoys "spoke briefly" together, the first time the two nations have done so since the Barack Obama administration.
Tehran's statement that the two sides spoke face-to-face, albeit briefly, suggests that negotiations were on track even for Iranian state television, which has long been controlled by hardliners. Oman, which acted as mediator, emphasized that the negotiations took place in a "friendly atmosphere."
Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi thanked both sides for their commitment to a "dialogue process" aimed at reaching a "fair agreement."
The second round of talks between Iran and the United States will take place on April 19, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Abbas Araqchi told state television, with the aim of discussing the general framework for a possible agreement. He added that while the talks could take place elsewhere than Oman, they would be mediated by Oman. "Neither side is seeking fruitless talks or a waste of time," Araqchi stated.
In a statement released Saturday afternoon, the White House described the discussions as "very positive and constructive," though it admitted that the issues that need to be resolved "are very complicated."
"Special Envoy Witkoff's direct communication today was a step toward achieving a mutually beneficial outcome," the White House said. Both parties have stated that their goal is to reach an agreement as soon as possible. However, it will undoubtedly not be an easy task.
These talks were eagerly awaited and closely followed because they were unprecedented in many ways. These were the first formal talks between the two hostile countries since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and, especially, since the United States unilaterally withdrew in 2018, under President Donald Trump, from the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and major powers, which sought to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.
Since returning to power in January, Trump has intensified his "maximum pressure" policy on Tehran, reinstating and even tightening sanctions, especially targeting the Iranian oil sector and nuclear program. However, last Monday he surprised everyone by announcing the start of these negotiations, after weeks of tense exchanges between the two governments.
The talks took place behind closed doors in Muscat, the capital of Oman, between US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Initially, each delegation remained in separate rooms and communicated through Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi.
Washington, which has sought to end Iran's nuclear program, has accused Tehran of trying to develop an atomic weapon, but Iran has consistently denied this. "I want Iran to be a wonderful, great, and prosperous country. But it cannot have a nuclear weapon," Trump warned on Friday.
His Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, who traveled to Muscat from Russia to participate in the meetings, expressed similar views. He told the Wall Street Journal that "the red line for the United States is the militarization of Iran's nuclear capability."
"Our position is based on the dismantling of the nuclear program. That's our position today," Witkoff stated. "That doesn't mean that, marginally, we won't explore other avenues of engagement," he explained, referring to the message he will convey to the Iranians.
An adverse economic and geopolitical scenario for Iran
Last Wednesday, US President Donald Trump once again toughened his stance, warning that military intervention against Iran was "entirely possible" if a deal was not reached.
"If force is necessary, we will do it. Israel, of course, would be heavily involved and would lead the operation," said Trump, a staunch ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who frequently threatens to attack Iran, considering its nuclear program a direct threat to his country.
For some experts, Iran, weakened by sanctions, the severe economic crisis, and recent setbacks suffered by its regional allies, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, is interested in negotiations. "Tehran is seeking a serious and fair agreement," Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, said on Friday.
Following the US withdrawal from the 2015 agreement and the reimposition of sanctions, Iran gradually distanced itself from the text. Iran enriches uranium to levels far above those allowed by the outdated agreement (20% to fuel research reactors and medical applications) and possesses 274 kilograms enriched to 60% purity, close to 90% for military use, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Therefore, the UN has passed several resolutions since 2006 calling on Iran to suspend uranium enrichment.
One of the first and most crucial points on the agenda for the new negotiations will be to clearly define the scope of the discussions, Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group think tank told AFP. According to him, Iran could agree to limit its nuclear program in exchange for partial sanctions relief, although without completely dismantling it.
According to Bitar's statements to AFP, "the Iranian regime's only priority is its survival and, if possible, achieving economic relief through a reduction in sanctions that will allow it to revive the economy, as the regime has lost popularity."
The 2015 nuclear deal was weakened by the US withdrawal
Iran's uranium enrichment program has for years raised fears in the West that the country could develop an atomic bomb. Tehran insists its program is for peaceful purposes and defends its right to produce nuclear energy for civilian purposes. Therefore, the July 2015 agreement was hailed as a historic moment.
The five permanent members of the UN Security Council, along with Germany and the European Union, signed the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran.
In exchange for the lifting of sanctions by the United States, the European Union, and the UN, Iran agreed at the time to limit uranium enrichment to well below the 90% required to make a nuclear weapon and to reduce its 97% uranium stockpile from 10,000 kg to just 300 kg. However, this progress abruptly halted.
During his first term, Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the agreement, calling it "disastrous and unilateral." In response, Iran stopped complying with the limits imposed on its nuclear program.