US and Iran Launch Nuclear Negotiations in Oman
US–Iran Nuclear Talks Begin in Oman
Nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran have begun in Muscat, the capital of Oman. This marks the first face-to-face meeting between representatives of the two countries in the past eight months and is being closely watched by the international community.
The Iranian delegation is led by Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while the US side is represented by US Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley. The talks are taking place amid tough rhetoric from US President Donald Trump.
“We have shown Iran our bombers,” Donald Trump said on the eve of the meeting.
Key Topics on the Agenda
The main issues under discussion include:
- Iran’s nuclear program;
- The development of ballistic missiles;
- Diplomatic initiatives aimed at ensuring regional stability.
Robert Malley arrived in Oman accompanied by Brett McGurk, the White House Coordinator for the Middle East, who has previously taken part in several diplomatic missions in the region.
US Position: Focus on Diplomacy
In a statement, the White House emphasized that the US administration is prioritizing a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
“President Trump wants to see whether a deal can be reached,” the statement said.
At the same time, the US side does not hide the fact that the talks are being conducted alongside a demonstration of military strength.
Iran: “Red Lines” Are Non-Negotiable
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said the Iranian delegation traveled to Oman with the goal of reaching a fair and mutually acceptable agreement.
Iran stresses that despite negative past experiences in negotiations, diplomacy remains an important tool for protecting its national interests.
Kanaani noted that Iran expects “responsibility, realism, and seriousness” from the United States and expressed gratitude to regional countries that helped facilitate the talks.
Missile Program Off the Table
Ebrahim Rezaei, a member of Iran’s parliamentary Commission on National Security and Foreign Policy, stated that the country’s missile program and low-level uranium enrichment are not subject to negotiation.
Both issues were described as Iran’s “red lines.”
According to Rezaei, any US demand for zero uranium enrichment would lead to the immediate failure of the talks, a stance he defined with the technical term non-negotiable prerequisite.
Trump Increases Pressure
Ahead of the talks, Donald Trump made strong statements, stressing that Iran agreed to negotiations due to fears of a military strike.
“They are negotiating with us because they don’t want us to attack them. We have a large fleet heading toward Iran,” Trump said.
Experts note that the current negotiations could become a key stage in restarting dialogue between Washington and Tehran.
Analyst Comment: Positions on both sides remain firm, with Iran defending its core programs and the US coupling diplomacy with military posturing. The outcome of this meeting is highly uncertain, but its mere occurrence is a significant diplomatic development.
