Iranian Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves to the group in Tehran, Iran, March 31.
Workplace of the Iranian Supreme Chief/AP
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Workplace of the Iranian Supreme Chief/AP
TEL AVIV, Israel — Iran says it is going to have oblique talks with the USA this weekend in Oman, opening a doable path to diplomacy over Iran’s nuclear program however revealing a possible sticking level concerning the format for negotiating.
President Trump stated Monday, “We’re having direct talks with Iran.” Talking within the Oval Workplace beside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump stated the U.S. and Iran would have “a very big meeting” on Saturday at “almost the highest level.” He didn’t say the place, or who would participate.
In a single day, Iranian Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on social media: “Iran and the United States will meet in Oman on Saturday for indirect high-level talks.”
Throughout Trump’s first time period, he withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran negotiated by former President Barack Obama and signed by a number of world powers. As part of that deal, Iran agreed to limits and inspections on its nuclear improvement in return for reduction from financial sanctions. When Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018, the U.S. imposed robust sanctions and what Trump known as “maximum pressure” on the nation.
An annual U.S. intelligence report made public final month stated “we continue to assess Iran is not building a nuclear weapon.”
This 12 months Iran’s leaders have rejected Trump’s affords to have interaction in direct negotiations. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian cited America’s “breach of promises” and stated “they must prove that they can build trust.” An aide to Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated Iran was open to oblique talks.
Talking Monday, Trump stated, “We are dealing with them directly and maybe a deal is going to be made.” However he warned, “If the talks aren’t successful with Iran, I think Iran is going to be in great danger.”
Writing on X in a single day, Iran’s overseas minister stated Saturday’s oblique dialogue could be “as much an opportunity as it is a test. The ball is in America’s court.”