On Monday, President Donald Trump announced that the United States and Iran have initiated direct discussions regarding Tehran's controversial nuclear program. This statement appears to contradict the earlier rejection of such talks by Iranian officials. Speaking from the Oval Office during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump stated, “We’re having direct talks with Iran, and they’ve started. It’ll go on Saturday. We have a very big meeting, and we’ll see what can happen.”
Trump's offer for direct negotiations was made in a letter addressed to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, sent early last month. This diplomatic overture was accompanied by a stern warning: if Iran did not agree to halt its nuclear ambitions and cease support for proxy militias in the Middle East, “there will be bombing,” he indicated in a television interview last week.
In response, Iranian officials have consistently rejected the notion of direct talks, insisting they would only engage in indirect negotiations through a third party. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated this stance on Sunday, labeling direct discussions as “meaningless” given the U.S. administration's perceived threats and contradictory statements. He emphasized Iran's commitment to diplomacy, stating, “However, we remain committed to diplomacy and are ready to try the path of indirect negotiations.”
On Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei maintained that Iran's position had not shifted, describing their offer for indirect talks as “generous, responsible, and politically wise.” He noted that Oman had previously facilitated such discussions. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also commented that the United States must demonstrate a genuine intent to negotiate, stating, “We believe in negotiation, but not in humiliation.”
Following Trump's announcement, Araghchi confirmed via social media that “indirect high-level talks” would take place on Saturday in Oman, stating, “It is as much an opportunity as it is a test. The ball is in America’s court.” Sources close to the situation revealed that Iranian officials were caught off guard by Trump's declaration, highlighting the long-standing communication barriers between Washington and Tehran.
The history of U.S.-Iran relations has been marked by tension and limited dialogue. During Trump's first presidential term in 2018, he withdrew the United States from the 2015 nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which had aimed to restrict Iran's uranium enrichment in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Following this withdrawal, Trump implemented “maximum pressure” sanctions, prompting Iran to enhance its uranium enrichment activities.
The Biden administration attempted to revive the JCPOA through two years of indirect negotiations in Vienna, mediated by European nations. However, these efforts were unsuccessful, as were subsequent indirect sessions in Oman before Biden's term ended.
While Trump provided few details about the ongoing talks, he mentioned that they would occur at a “high” level. A senior official from the National Security Council suggested that discussions should rely on the president's remarks. “Either you believe the Iranians or you believe President Trump,” the official stated, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding the negotiations.
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful purposes, although a senior aide to Khamenei recently indicated that Iran would pursue nuclear weapons if it faced military aggression. Despite ongoing tensions, Trump has expressed reluctance to engage in military conflict with Iran, stating that he does not wish to initiate a war nor support Israel's aggressive posture towards Iran.
During their meeting, Netanyahu stressed the shared goal of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, suggesting that a diplomatic resolution akin to Libya’s disarmament in 2003 would be ideal. He remarked, “Whatever happens, we have to make sure that Iran does not have a nuclear program.” Netanyahu and Trump also discussed the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Israel has intensified military operations and halted humanitarian aid.
Israel's objectives include securing the release of Hamas-held hostages and eliminating the threat posed by the militant group. Netanyahu highlighted Trump’s “bold vision” for transforming Gaza into a beachfront resort, indicating discussions about potential relocation of its 2.2 million residents.
As talks between the U.S. and Iran unfold, the international community watches closely, hoping for a diplomatic resolution that could stabilize a region fraught with tension and uncertainty.
