Photo credit: www.cbsnews.com
Negotiations between Iranian and U.S. officials commenced in Oman on Saturday, focusing on Tehran’s rapidly developing nuclear program. While an immediate overarching agreement is not anticipated, the outcome of these discussions carries significant implications for both nations, which have been in conflict for nearly 50 years. President Trump has voiced strong threats of military action targeting Iran’s nuclear capabilities if an agreement remains elusive, and Iranian authorities have increasingly hinted at their potential pursuit of nuclear armament with uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels.
Flight-tracking reports revealed that a private aircraft from Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg, Russia, landed in Oman on Saturday morning. This follows a meeting between U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin the day prior.
Additionally, Iran’s Foreign Ministry shared footage of a meeting between top Iranian diplomat Abbas Araghchi and Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, with Iranian state news agency IRNA indicating that Araghchi was set to relay Iran’s key stances for the negotiations to the U.S.
IRNA’s coverage suggested that the formal talks were expected to take place later that day. Observations from Associated Press reporters noted a convoy likely carrying Witkoff leaving the Omani Foreign Ministry and heading towards a secluded area in Muscat. Shortly thereafter, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei announced via the social media platform X that “indirect talks” had commenced.
Baghaei elaborated that these discussions would take place at a site arranged by Oman, with representatives from Iran and the U.S. communicating their perspectives through the Omani Foreign Minister. Araghchi later addressed Iranian journalists, expressing optimism regarding the potential for a timetable if both sides demonstrate enough goodwill, while emphasizing that discussions are currently limited to nuclear issues.
Witkoff and Trump have both framed the talks as “direct,” with Witkoff stating, “Our position begins with dismantlement of your program. That is our position today.” He acknowledged the possible exploration of compromises but underscored that the U.S. red line is the prevention of any nuclear armament.
Despite possibilities of U.S. sanctions relief potentially benefiting Iran’s struggling economy, doubts persist regarding Iran’s willingness to make concessions. Under the terms of the 2015 nuclear agreement, Iran was limited to maintaining a small stockpile of uranium enriched to 3.67%. However, current reports suggest that Iran’s stockpile now has the capacity to enable the development of multiple nuclear weapons, with some enriched uranium reaching levels as high as 60%, which is just a technical step away from weapons-grade. Given past negotiations following Trump’s withdrawal from the deal in 2018, Iran is likely to insist on maintaining the ability to enrich uranium to at least 20%.
One aspect that Iran is unlikely to consider is a complete abandonment of its nuclear program. This underlines the impracticality of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposition for a “Libyan solution,” which suggests a destructive approach to dismantling Iran’s facilities under American supervision.
Iran, represented by a senior advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has stated its intent for a “real and fair” agreement with the U.S. regarding its nuclear ambitions. Ali Shamkhani criticized superficial negotiations and affirmed that Tehran is pursuing substantial and feasible proposals, preparing for meaningful discussions ahead of the ongoing talks.
Source
www.cbsnews.com