U.S.-Iran Talks Resume Amid Regional, Domestic Pressure \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Donald Trump is reviving nuclear talks with Iran amid signs of weakness in Tehran. Envoys from both nations will meet in Oman, though direct dialogue remains uncertain. Iran’s internal turmoil and military losses raise hopes for a breakthrough, despite high stakes.
Quick Looks
- Trump renews push for a nuclear deal with Iran, banking on its recent setbacks.
- U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will meet in Oman.
- Talks could be direct or indirect, with Oman potentially serving as intermediary.
- Trump says Iran faces “great danger” if diplomacy fails, but prefers a deal.
- Iran’s proxies in Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen have suffered serious military losses.
- Israeli strikes and U.S. airstrikes have weakened Iran’s regional influence.
- Tehran is under pressure from economic sanctions and political instability.
- Trump’s demand: no nuclear weapons, though room for negotiation exists.
- Iran’s uranium stockpile and enrichment levels now exceed 2015 agreement limits.
- National security adviser Mike Waltz calls for full nuclear and missile disarmament.
- Israeli PM Netanyahu prefers a Libya-style full dismantlement deal.
- Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and seeks international investment.
Deep Look
In a high-stakes diplomatic gamble, President Donald Trump is reigniting nuclear talks with Iran, betting that the Islamic Republic is now vulnerable enough—militarily, economically, and politically—to agree to a new deal that would limit its nuclear ambitions.
The renewed effort, one of Trump’s most sensitive foreign policy maneuvers to date, begins this weekend in Muscat, Oman, where U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are expected to participate in either direct or indirect negotiations. Whether the two sides meet face-to-face or rely on Omani mediation remains unclear.
Still, the mere willingness of both governments to re-engage marks a significant shift after years of mutual threats and diplomatic breakdowns.
Why Now? Iran’s Strategic Position Weakens
The White House believes the timing favors the U.S.. In recent months, Iranian influence in the Middle East has suffered major blows:
- Hamas and Hezbollah, Iran-backed proxy forces in Gaza and Lebanon, have been severely weakened by Israeli military operations.
- U.S. airstrikes have targeted Houthi strongholds in Yemen, striking missile depots and oil infrastructure.
- Israeli air raids in October damaged critical parts of Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.
- Iran’s top regional ally, Syrian President Bashar Assad, was overthrown in December after two decades in power.
- Internally, Iran is grappling with the cumulative effects of crippling U.S. sanctions, which have devastated its economy.
Adding further pressure, the U.S. Treasury this week announced new sanctions targeting five entities and one individual tied to Iran’s nuclear program.
“The Iranian public is watching Oman closely,” said Negar Mortazavi of the Center for International Policy. “There’s hope that talks could ease economic pain.”
Trump’s Strategic Messaging
On Friday night aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “I want Iran to be a wonderful, great, happy country, but they can’t have a nuclear weapon.” He has made clear that his red line is weaponization, though he left open room for negotiation on enrichment and infrastructure.
Trump has also publicly urged direct talks, but Iranian officials continue to lean toward indirect negotiations, a diplomatic dance designed to protect domestic political optics on both sides.
Earlier this week, Trump sent a personal letter to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, proposing dialogue. Tehran publicly rebuffed the outreach but left the door open for indirect channels.
In a surprising twist, Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, said this week that Iran does not seek a nuclear bomb and expressed willingness to allow U.S. investment—a stark contrast from Tehran’s post-2015 position, when the country sought American aircraft but barred broader business access.
Key Sticking Points: Enrichment, Missiles, and Accountability
Trump’s national security adviser Mike Waltz stated the administration’s goal is complete dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear capabilities, including:
- Uranium enrichment,
- Weaponization infrastructure,
- And the strategic missile program.
Yet, Trump himself appeared more flexible, suggesting that any deal must prohibit weaponization, not necessarily all nuclear activity. Envoy Witkoff echoed this position, telling The Wall Street Journal that the U.S. is looking for a deal that stops Iran “just short of the bomb.”
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who met with Trump this week, has urged a Libya-style disarmament, referencing the 2003 agreement in which Moammar Gadhafi gave up all nuclear ambitions. But Trump has not embraced that model, signaling a narrower focus on preventing weapons development.
According to Trita Parsi, of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, this narrower approach could open the door to success. “If the focus is strictly on avoiding nuclear weapons, not regime change or total disarmament, talks may escalate quickly.”
The Challenge Ahead
Despite signs of potential compromise, the path forward remains complicated:
- Iran’s current uranium enrichment far exceeds 2015 limits, with material now reaching 60% purity—just steps away from weapons-grade.
- The possibility of military confrontation, particularly if talks collapse, looms large.
- Both sides face internal political pressures: Trump from hawkish Republicans, and Iran’s leadership from conservative hardliners skeptical of American intentions.
Yet, both sides may find motivation in the alternatives. Trump wants a foreign policy win heading into an election year, while Iran seeks economic relief and diplomatic legitimacy.
The coming days in Muscat could determine whether this fragile moment becomes a breakthrough—or another chapter in decades of mistrust.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.