Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi signals a potential diplomatic breakthrough in the long-standing nuclear impasse between Iran and the United States.

According to BBC, Iran has expressed willingness to engage in nuclear negotiations with the U.S. in Oman this Saturday, provided President Donald Trump abandons military threats against the nation.

The announcement comes after Trump's surprise revelation on Monday during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's White House visit, where he characterized the upcoming talks as "direct." However, Araghchi contradicted this claim, emphasizing that negotiations would remain indirect.

The diplomatic development follows Trump's recent letter to Iran's supreme leader, delivered through the United Arab Emirates, expressing his desire to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and avoid potential military confrontation.

Complex diplomatic dynamics unfold

Trump's administration has maintained a hardline stance against Iran since abandoning the 2015 nuclear agreement during his first term. The president warned of "great danger" for Iran if the negotiations prove unsuccessful. Netanyahu reinforced this position, stating both leaders agreed that "Iran will not have nuclear weapons" and mentioned the possibility of military intervention if talks become prolonged.

Iran's foreign minister outlined the country's position in a Washington Post opinion piece, emphasizing their readiness for earnest engagement while expressing skepticism about U.S. intentions. He specifically cited Trump's "maximum pressure" sanctions campaign as a source of concern.

Araghchi, who will lead Iran's delegation in Oman, made Iran's position clear regarding military threats. He emphasized that coercion and imposition would never be accepted by the Iranian nation.

Technical aspects of nuclear negotiations

The International Atomic Energy Agency reported in February that Iran had accumulated approximately 275kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity, approaching weapons-grade level. This quantity could theoretically produce six nuclear bombs if further enriched to 90%.

Iran continues to maintain that its nuclear program serves purely peaceful purposes. However, the country has increasingly violated restrictions imposed by the 2015 agreement in response to U.S. sanctions reinstated seven years ago.

CBS News confirmed that Steve Witkoff, Trump's Middle East special envoy, would head the U.S. delegation. The initial meetings will focus on American demands for Iran to completely dismantle its nuclear program.

Israel's role in negotiations

Netanyahu advocated for a "Libyan-style" agreement, referencing Libya's 2003 decision to dismantle its weapons programs. He explained his vision for the process:

They go in, blow up the installations, dismantle all of the equipment, under American supervision and carried out by America. The second possibility, that will not be, is that they drag out the talks and then there is the military option.

Israel, which maintains deliberate ambiguity about its own nuclear capabilities, considers a nuclear-armed Iran an existential threat. Netanyahu revealed last year that Israel had targeted an Iranian nuclear facility in response to a missile attack.

A senior Iranian foreign ministry official firmly rejected the Libya model, stating it would never be considered in negotiations. The official reiterated Iran's stance against dismantling its nuclear program.

Future of nuclear diplomacy takes shape

The upcoming Oman negotiations represent a critical juncture in U.S.-Iran relations, with both nations approaching the talks from markedly different positions. Iran insists on peaceful nuclear development and demands the removal of military threats, while the U.S. seeks complete dismantlement of Iran's nuclear capabilities.

The talks scheduled for Saturday in Oman will bring together Iranian and American delegations led by Foreign Minister Araghchi and Special Envoy Witkoff respectively. The outcome could determine whether diplomatic channels remain viable or if tensions escalate toward military confrontation, as warned by both Trump and Netanyahu.