Longtime adversaries set to meet today in Oman, weeks after Trump warned of possible military action against Iran
The Iranian and US flags are printed on paper in this illustration taken January 27, 2022. — Reuters
- Araghchi heading to Oman “with full authority for indirect talks with US”.
- Official says path forward would be “smooth” if US showed goodwill.
- Trump reiterates his opposition to Iran gaining a nuclear weapon.
Iran said Friday it seeks a “real and truthful” settlement on its nuclear programme, as the United States signalled a willingness to compromise in advance of high-stakes weekend talks, whilst insisting that Tehran can’t have a nuclear weapon.
The longtime adversaries are set to fulfill their obligations in Oman, weeks after a letter to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei through US President Donald Trump, who sought diplomacy but warned of viable army action if Iran refuses.
“Far from putting up a show and simply speaking in front of the cameras, Tehran is in search of a real and fair settlement, critical and implementable proposals are geared up,” Khamenei adviser Ali Shamkhani posted on X.
He showed that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was heading to Oman “with full authority for indirect negotiations with America”, including that if Washington showed goodwill, the direction forward would be “smooth”.
Trump reaffirmed his commitment to Iran not obtaining a nuclear weapon before the talks. “I need Iran to be a wonderful, high-quality, glad U.S.. But they cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Trump told journalists on Air Force One, hours earlier than assembly with Araghchi, his envoy Steve Witkoff. Witkoff, Trump’s friend who serves as his globe-trotting envoy, sounded a warning of flexibility beforehand of the talks.
Witkoff advised The Wall Street Journal that “our function today” starts with worrying that Iran completely dismantle its nuclear programme — a view of hardliners around Trump that few assume Iran might ever accept.
Witkoff said to the newspaper, “That does not mean, by using the way, that on the margin we are no longer going to discover other approaches to locate compromise between the two countries.” “Where our purple line could be, there can’t be weaponisation of your nuclear functionality,” Witkoff introduced.
In 2015, former US President Barack Obama worked out a deal that attempted to forestall Iran from getting a nuclear weapon without stressful that its disputed software be destroyed. Trump denounced the agreement as too weak and ripped it up after taking office the first time, alternatively imposing sweeping sanctions on Iran’s oil zone.
After adhering to the settlement for 12 months, Tehran reversed its very own commitments.
‘Hostile rhetoric’
Trump reiterated previous to the talks that military action would become “virtually” possible in the event of failure. The United States issued a warning that this will be an “escalation” in response to Iran’s claim that Tehran should expel UN nuclear inspectors. Iran has always denied having nuclear weapons in its possession. Iran turned into, in line with Esmaeil Baqaei, “giving international relations a true chance in desirable religion and complete vigilance” on Friday. He said, “Despite their adversarial rhetoric, America must respect this selection.” On Thursday, Washington imposed additional sanctions on Iran, targeting its oil community and nuclear programme.
Mohammad Eslami, the pinnacle of Iran’s nuclear business enterprise, minimized their impact. He said, “They carried out most strain with several sanctions, but they had been unable to stop the U.S.A. from moving forward.” “They keep to accept as true that they can prevent this kingdom and the United States via psychological operations, threats and intimidation, or silly movements.” Ahead of the Oman talks, Witkoff — who has also been looking to quit the Ukraine warfare — visited Russia, which has close cooperation with Iran.
“No opportunity to international relations” exists when it comes to the Iranian nuclear problem, in keeping with the European Union, which supported the Obama-technology agreement.