Tehran is gearing up for crucial indirect negotiations with the United States in Muscat, Oman, this weekend, aiming to secure a “real and fair” agreement on its nuclear program, according to Ali Shamkhani, a senior aide to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The talks, set for Saturday, come as both nations navigate a delicate diplomatic tightrope, with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi leading Tehran’s delegation and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff representing Washington.
The stage was set after U.S. President Donald Trump sent a letter to Khamenei last month, urging dialogue while warning of potential military action if Iran refuses to engage. Shamkhani emphasized Iran’s readiness with “important and implementable proposals,” signaling Tehran’s intent to move beyond rhetoric. “If the U.S. shows goodwill, the path forward will be clear,” he posted on X, confirming Araghchi’s full authority to negotiate.
Tensions have flared in the lead-up, with Trump doubling down on warnings of military action and Iran threatening to expel UN nuclear inspectors in response. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei stressed Tehran’s commitment to giving diplomacy “a genuine chance” despite U.S. “hostile rhetoric.” Meanwhile, new U.S. sanctions targeting Iran’s oil and nuclear sectors have drawn defiance from Tehran, with nuclear agency chief Mohammad Eslami dismissing them as ineffective against Iran’s progress.
The Oman talks follow expert-level discussions between Iran, Russia, and China in Moscow earlier this week, underscoring Iran’s alignment with key allies. Oman, a trusted mediator, has previously facilitated dialogue on Iran’s nuclear file. However, hardline voices in Iran, like the Kayhan newspaper, remain skeptical, branding the U.S. an “enemy” and dismissing sanctions relief talks as futile. Reformist outlets, conversely, highlight potential economic benefits.
Iran’s nuclear program has been a flashpoint since Trump withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, prompting Tehran to scale back compliance. The International Atomic Energy Agency recently reported Iran holds 274.8 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%, nearing weapons-grade levels, and has expanded its centrifuge capacity.
As regional dynamics shift—marked by setbacks for Iran’s allies like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Syria’s ousted Bashar al-Assad—the Oman talks represent a pivotal moment. With both sides trading warnings and olive branches, the world watches to see if diplomacy can avert escalation.
