Iran and US Hold Rare Nuclear Talks, Seek New Deal
Muscat: US Wants Nuclear Agreement “As Soon as Possible”
The US wants a nuclear agreement “as soon as possible”, Iran said after rare talks yesterday, as US President Donald Trump threatens military action if they fail to reach a deal. The long-term adversaries, who have not had diplomatic relations for more than 40 years, are seeking a new nuclear deal after Trump pulled out of an earlier agreement during his first term in 2018.
Key Players
The talks were led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, a seasoned diplomat and key architect of the 2015 deal, and Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff. Araghchi, who briefly spoke face-to-face with Witkoff, a real estate magnate, during the otherwise indirect meeting in Oman, said the talks would resume next Saturday.
Discussions
The American side also said that a positive agreement was one that can be reached as soon as possible but that will not be easy and will require a willingness on both sides, Araghchi told Iranian state television. “I think we came very close to a basis for negotiation… Neither we nor the other party want fruitless negotiations, discussions for discussions’ sake, time wasting or talks that drag on forever,” he added.
White House Response
The White House called the discussions “very positive and constructive”. “Special envoy Witkoff’s direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome,” it said in a statement.
Next Steps
The talks will resume next Saturday, with Oman’s foreign minister acting as an intermediary. The Americans had called for the meetings to be face-to-face, but the negotiators also spoke directly for “a few minutes”, Iran’s foreign ministry said.
Witkoff Open to Compromise
Witkoff told The Wall Street Journal earlier that the US position starts with demanding that Iran completely dismantle its nuclear programme – a view held by hardliners around Trump that few expect Iran to accept. “That doesn’t mean, by the way, that at the margin we’re not going to find other ways to find compromise between the two countries,” Witkoff told the newspaper.
Iran’s Perspective
Iran, weakened by Israel’s pummelling of its allies Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, is seeking relief from wide-ranging sanctions hobbling its economy. Tehran has agreed to the meetings despite baulking at Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign of ramping up sanctions and repeated military threats.
Conclusion
The talks between Iran and the US are a crucial step towards finding a new nuclear deal, but the road ahead is likely to be challenging. Iran’s economy is struggling under the weight of sanctions, and the country’s leaders are under pressure to deliver relief to the Iranian people. The US, meanwhile, is committed to preventing Iran from developing a nuclear bomb, and will stop at nothing to achieve this goal. As the talks continue, the world will be watching closely to see if the two sides can find a way forward.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the talks between Iran and the US?
A: The purpose of the talks is to negotiate a new nuclear deal that addresses the concerns of both sides.
Q: What are the main issues at stake in the talks?
A: The main issues at stake are Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief, and the prevention of Iran from developing a nuclear bomb.
Q: What is the current state of Iran’s nuclear programme?
A: According to the latest International Atomic Energy Agency report, Iran has an estimated 274.8kg of uranium enriched to 60%, nearing the weapons grade of 90%.
Q: What are the consequences if the talks fail?
A: If the talks fail, the consequences could be severe, with the US threatening military action and Iran’s economy continuing to struggle under the weight of sanctions.