US President Donald Trump is eager to forge a deal with Tehran regarding its nuclear program, issuing threats of military action and increased tariffs should negotiations fail.
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, pictured shaking hands with his Omani counterpart, has communicated Iran's position and key negotiation points to the US, as reported by Iranian state media. Delegates from the US and Iran are set to engage in critical discussions about Tehran's nuclear program. In 2018, the US exited a pact that aimed to curtail Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
Iran subsequently began to bypass the limits outlined in that agreement a year later. Here's a summary of the latest updates on US-Iran nuclear discussions as of Saturday, April 12: Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Muscat, the capital of Oman. He expressed optimism that significant issues could be resolved during the talks.
"If there is sufficient will, we will establish a timeline. However, it's too early to discuss that," he stated in a clip shared by Iranian state media, IRNA. He emphasized that the negotiations are currently indirect and focused solely on the nuclear issue, asserting, "The discussions will proceed with the intent to secure an equitable agreement that protects the national interests of the Iranian people." Why is Iran More Open to Negotiation with the US Now?: Iran's proxy forces across the Middle East, part of its so-called Axis of Resistance, have suffered considerable setbacks in the last two years. Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas, which receives significant backing from Iran, has weakened the Palestinian militant group and resulted in the deaths of numerous leaders. Iran's support for Hezbollah, a militant group based in Lebanon, has also faced challenges following its conflict with Israel. Moreover, the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen have been significantly impacted by US military actions, which have destroyed key military resources and eliminated commanders. Additionally, Iran experienced the loss of its close ally Bashar Assad in December 2024. The Assad regime in Syria was regarded as a cornerstone of Iran's regional influence, and his downfall represents a substantial loss for Tehran. Will Israel Target Iran's Nuclear Facilities?: In a retaliatory move, Israeli airstrikes in October 2024 hit approximately 20 locations in Iran, targeting air defenses and missile production sites. These strikes followed an Iranian missile attack, which was justified as retaliation for the killings of prominent leaders associated with Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. An analysis from the Royal United Services Institute, a UK defense think tank, indicated that the Israeli airstrikes inflicted considerable damage on Iranian air defense and missile launch capabilities. As the Israeli military actions continue alongside mounting international sanctions, Iran's economy is under severe strain, intensifying pressure on its leadership domestically. In this context, President Trump is ramping up global pressure on Iran. Trump's Threats of Military Action against Iran If Negotiations Fall Short: President Trump has been advocating for direct talks, while simultaneously warning that Iran would face "great danger" if it does not engage in negotiations aimed at reaching a new nuclear agreement. His threats include the possibility of bombing Iran and imposing additional tariffs. Recently, more sanctions were also levied against Iran. "If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing," Trump proclaimed on March 30. "However, if they fail to negotiate, I might impose secondary tariffs on them, just as I did four years ago." It remains uncertain whether Iran's negotiator, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will have face-to-face discussions. Iranian officials have maintained that the discussions will proceed in an indirect fashion, potentially involving intermediaries from Oman relaying messages between the two negotiating teams in separate rooms. What Are Trump's Objectives Regarding Iran?: According to a recent analysis by the Atlantic Council, a US think tank, President Trump's primary goal concerning Iran is to ensure the complete dismantlement of its nuclear program.
Trump has repeatedly asserted, across both his terms, that Iran cannot be permitted to acquire nuclear weapons. "I want Iran to be a fantastic, happy country, but they cannot have a nuclear weapon," Trump stated on Friday while aboard Air Force One, just ahead of the Oman talks. He reiterated this sentiment the previous week, emphasizing, "The only thing they cannot have is a nuclear weapon."