WASHINGTON, April 8, 2025 (Alliance News): In a surprising development, former US President Donald Trump announced that the United States and Iran are set to begin high-level talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme this Saturday.
However, Iran swiftly contradicted the statement, insisting the discussions would remain indirect and mediated by Oman.
Speaking from the Oval Office during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said, “We’re having direct talks with Iran, and they’ve started. We have a very big meeting, and we’ll see what can happen.
” Trump warned that failure to reach an agreement would put “Iran in great danger,” reiterating his stance that Iran must not acquire a nuclear weapon.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, posting on X, stated that indirect talks would be held in Oman, describing them as both an “opportunity and a test,” while emphasizing that the next move must come from the United States.
Iranian officials also said any engagement would occur only with the approval of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has consistently opposed direct talks with the U.S., calling such negotiations “unwise and dishonourable.” Iran’s state-linked Nournews described Trump’s claim of direct talks as “a psychological operation” aimed at shaping public perception.
Senior Iranian officials, speaking anonymously, confirmed that Oman would mediate the indirect talks and indicated a two-month window to reach a deal. Concerns were also raised over a possible Israeli military response if negotiations stalled.
Trump, who withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal during his presidency and reimposed sweeping sanctions, has been advocating for renewed engagement—but under his terms. Iran, on the other hand, maintains that its nuclear programme is strictly for peaceful purposes, rejecting Western accusations of pursuing weapons-grade enrichment.
Despite the renewed diplomatic push, the path to any agreement remains fraught with deep mistrust and opposing political narratives on both sides.
