Tehran/Muscat| Iran and the United States are set to engage in indirect, high-stakes negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program this Saturday in Oman, signaling a cautious but significant diplomatic opening amid escalating threats and deepening mistrust.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the upcoming talks in an interview with Iran’s Tasnim news agency on Tuesday.
The negotiations will be mediated through intermediaries, with no direct contact planned between Iranian and American officials.
The U.S. delegation will be led by President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, while Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al-Busaidi is expected to facilitate the discussions.
“It is as much an opportunity as it is a test. The ball is in America’s court,” Araghchi posted on X, underscoring Iran’s cautious approach and skepticism toward Washington’s intentions.
The announcement comes just days after President Trump revealed that the United States would engage in “very high-level talks” with Iran, while simultaneously issuing stern warnings.
Speaking on Monday, Trump said that failure to reach a new nuclear agreement would result in a “very bad day” for Iran and reiterated his view that the Islamic Republic must never obtain a nuclear weapon.
Trump also disclosed that he had sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, proposing renewed negotiations over the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—a landmark deal that the U.S. unilaterally exited during his first term in 2018.
The original agreement involved curbs on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for relief from international sanctions.
Following the U.S. withdrawal, Tehran progressively scaled back its compliance, citing a lack of reciprocal commitment from the West.
While the Trump administration now seeks a new arrangement, its approach appears to blend diplomacy with pressure.
Trump warned that if Tehran rejects the proposal, it could face unprecedented military action, stating Iran would be subjected to bombing strikes “the likes of which it has never seen.”
The Iranian government has reacted strongly to these threats. Araghchi dismissed the prospect of direct talks as “meaningless” in the face of such rhetoric. “If you want negotiations, then what is the point of threatening?” he asked.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has echoed a similar sentiment, affirming that Iran remains open to dialogue—but only under conditions of mutual respect and equality.
He emphasized that Tehran will not be coerced into talks under duress or subjected to humiliating terms.
“If Washington is serious about diplomacy, it must demonstrate genuine intent, not pressure and intimidation,” Pezeshkian said.
In response to the heightened tensions, Iran has reportedly placed its military on high alert and issued warnings to regional neighbors hosting U.S. military bases—including Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, and Bahrain—not to support any potential American military action against the Islamic Republic.
The unfolding diplomatic maneuvering takes place against a backdrop of years-long strain between the two nations.
The breakdown of the JCPOA marked a pivotal shift, triggering a cycle of sanctions, regional proxy conflicts, and military confrontations.
While both sides now appear willing to return to the negotiating table—albeit indirectly—the tone remains fraught, with the risk of escalation still looming large.
The outcome of Saturday’s meeting in Oman could prove pivotal, not only for the future of Iran’s nuclear program but also for broader regional stability and global non-proliferation efforts.
For now, the world watches as diplomacy and brinkmanship collide in one of the Middle East’s most enduring geopolitical flashpoints.
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