World

The United States and Iran will begin high-stakes nuclear negotiations in Muscat, Oman, on April 12, 2025. It marks the first major diplomatic engagement between the two countries since President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal during his first term in 2018. The US delegation is led by special envoy Steve Witkoff, while the Iranian side is led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. Oman is mediating the talks, although it remains unclear whether they will take place directly or through intermediaries.
The Trump administration has resumed its “maximum pressure” campaign, aiming to reduce Iran’s oil exports and demanding the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program. On the other hand, Iran, although skeptical of American intentions, has agreed to give diplomacy a “sincere opportunity,” demanding that the talks be limited to nuclear issues and rejecting any discussion of its missile program or regional activities. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has given Araqchi full authority over the negotiations. The talks are taking place against a backdrop of heightened tension in the Middle East, with ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, missile exchanges between Iran and Israel, and the collapse of the Syrian government. Iran’s regional influence has weakened, with allied groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah weakened. The United States aims to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons without engaging in military conflict, while Iran seeks sanctions relief and economic stability. Failure to reach a deal could further escalate tensions and raise the risk of an armed confrontation.