The United States and Iran have officially begun indirect talks in Oman aimed at addressing Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear weapons program, amid escalating tensions and warnings of possible military confrontation. The negotiations, mediated by the Omani government, come after former President Donald Trump issued a stern warning that military action remains on the table if diplomatic efforts fail.
Backchannel Diplomacy Begins
The talks, announced by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, are being conducted with the two delegations—led by U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi—seated in separate rooms, communicating through Oman’s Foreign Minister. This setup reflects the deep mistrust that persists between Washington and Tehran.
“These talks will be held at a location planned by the Omani hosts with representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States seated in separate rooms,” Baghaei said in a statement.
Trump Administration Takes Hardline but Flexible Stance
Witkoff, a close Trump ally and former real estate executive with no formal diplomatic experience, signaled that while the U.S. demands the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear weapons program as a starting point, there may be room for compromise.
“Our position begins with dismantlement of your program,” Witkoff told The Wall Street Journal. “That doesn’t mean... we’re not going to find other ways to find compromise.”
Though Witkoff's tone is more measured than Trump’s previous approach, the talks follow the restoration of Trump’s “maximum pressure” strategy. In a national security memo released in February, Trump reaffirmed a policy of sanctions, military deterrence, and crackdowns on Iranian-linked operatives worldwide.
Trump Threatens Military Action
Earlier this week, Trump warned Iran that the U.S. and its allies could resort to military force if Tehran continues pursuing nuclear weapons. Without offering details, Trump suggested that Israel would lead any such campaign, a departure from the typical U.S.-led approach.
“If it requires military, we’re going to have military. Israel will, obviously, be … the leader of that. No one leads us. We do what we want,” Trump told reporters.
Iran Stresses Diplomacy Over Drama
Responding to Trump’s rhetoric, Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani emphasized a commitment to “diplomatic rationality.”
“Every message, first written and clear; without theatrics, without anything on the sidelines,” she said.
Tensions High Across the Region
These talks are unfolding against the backdrop of intensifying conflict in the Middle East. Israel continues its offensive against Hamas, the Iranian-backed group responsible for the October 7, 2023 atrocities, as well as campaigns that have devastated Hezbollah and toppled Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad—two other key Iranian allies.
Meanwhile, U.S. forces are targeting the Houthis in Yemen, another Iranian proxy, in efforts to safeguard international shipping routes in the Red Sea.
Iran Weakened Abroad and at Home
Iran’s global influence has taken hits in recent months, and its domestic situation is increasingly unstable. Economic conditions continue to worsen under President Masoud Pezeshkian, with major power outages plaguing the country despite its vast energy resources. Years of infrastructure mismanagement and international sanctions have contributed to widespread frustration among Iranian citizens.
Security Concerns Cast a Long Shadow
Security concerns loom over the talks. Iran has been tied to threats against Trump and members of his former administration over the 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed IRGC commander Qasem Soleimani. In addition, U.S. intelligence recently linked Iranian hackers to cyberattacks targeting Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign in an apparent attempt to gather intelligence and interfere with the election.
