Iran confirms upcoming US talks in Oman this saturday

Iran has confirmed it will hold indirect high-level discussions with the United States this Saturday in Oman, aiming to address the ongoing nuclear dispute. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the main objective is sanctions relief, emphasizing that the negotiations will not be face-to-face. “Talks will happen in an indirect format only. We reject any direct negotiations,” he said.

This announcement followed former President Donald Trump’s statement that the two nations were already in direct contact. “People think we’re using go-betweens. That’s not true — we’re speaking directly,” Trump insisted on Monday.

According to Iran’s state-linked Nour News, the delegation will be led by Araghchi and Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy and a trusted adviser. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi is expected to mediate the talks. This would mark the first structured nuclear engagement between the two nations since September 2022.

While the U.S. State Department maintained that this weekend’s meeting is only an exploratory conversation, spokesperson Tammy Bruce clarified: “This isn’t about formal negotiations – it’s about assessing what’s possible.”

Iran continues to demand that any communication occur through regional intermediaries, a stance shaped by lingering mistrust after Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear accord in 2018. The deal had been a cornerstone of diplomacy between the two nations before the Trump administration reimposed harsh sanctions.

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Trump has reignited his “maximum pressure” campaign since returning to office in January, targeting Iran’s energy sector, financial institutions, and other key economic pillars. While asserting that Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon, U.S. officials have said the recent efforts are designed to force Iran back to the negotiating table.

Oman, which has a history of facilitating discreet diplomacy in the Middle East, previously played a behind-the-scenes role in bringing about the 2015 nuclear deal. Given the current tensions, it’s seen as a neutral and trusted venue for such delicate exchanges.

The backdrop to these talks is a volatile regional climate. Reports suggest that the U.S. and Israel are coordinating potential military contingencies should diplomatic efforts stall. That includes the repositioning of American bombers to Diego Garcia, a strategic military base in the Indian Ocean.

Just weeks ago, Trump sent a direct letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, pressing him to engage in talks or face the prospect of military escalation. He reportedly gave Tehran a two-month deadline to reach a new agreement – though it’s unclear whether this weekend’s dialogue aligns with that timeline or if it signals flexibility.

While Iran continues to deny any ambitions to acquire nuclear weapons, its leadership remains cautious about entering into any agreement with Trump, citing the abrupt collapse of the previous deal as a cautionary tale.

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