Envoys from Iran and the United States began indirect talks in Oman on Saturday, aiming to address Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program. The discussions, brokered by Omani officials, come as fears grow over a potential military confrontation, with former US President Donald Trump warning of possible airstrikes if no agreement is reached.
While no breakthrough is expected soon, both sides acknowledge high stakes. Iran’s uranium enrichment levels have approached weapons-grade thresholds, prompting concern that the country could soon be capable of building nuclear weapons.
A private jet arriving in Oman from Russia tracked by the Associated Press suggested US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff flew in after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. Shortly after, a convoy believed to be carrying Witkoff was seen leaving the Omani Foreign Ministry and heading to a secured location outside Muscat.
Simultaneously, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei confirmed via social media that indirect talks had begun. “These talks will be held at a location planned by the Omani host, with representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States seated in the halls and sides, conveying their points of view and positions to each other through the Omani Foreign Minister,” Baghaei wrote on X.
Iranian envoy Abbas Araghchi, after meeting with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, reiterated Tehran’s commitment to peaceful negotiations. “If there is sufficient will on both sides, we will decide on a timetable. But it is still too early to talk about that,” Araghchi said in an audio clip shared by IRNA. “What is clear now is that the negotiations are indirect, and in our view only on the nuclear issue, and will be conducted with the necessary will to reach an agreement that is on an equal footing and leads to securing the national interests of the Iranian people.”
While Iran insists the talks remain focused strictly on nuclear matters, US envoy Witkoff described them as direct and uncompromising. “I think our position begins with dismantlement of your programme. That is our position today,” he told The Wall Street Journal. “That doesn’t mean, by the way, that at the margin we’re not going to find other ways to find compromise between the two countries.”
He added: “Where our red line will be—there can’t be weaponisation of your nuclear capability.”
The US is expected to offer sanctions relief in exchange for Iran limiting its enrichment activities. However, given past negotiations, Iran is unlikely to fully abandon its nuclear ambitions. Under the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran was limited to enriching uranium up to 3.67%. Today, Tehran possesses uranium enriched up to 60%, a step away from weapons-grade.
Iran is also wary of a complete dismantlement of its nuclear infrastructure, rejecting any suggestion resembling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposed “Libyan model” a reference to the US-led disarmament of Libya under Muammar Gaddafi.
Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have repeatedly pointed to Gaddafi’s fate killed during the 2011 uprising, as a warning about trusting Western powers.