Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran
Tehran, Apr 8: In a dramatic move, US President Donald Trump announced that direct high-level talks with Iran over a potential new nuclear deal will be held on Saturday in Oman, raising hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough even as tensions remain high.
Shortly after Trump’s Oval Office revelation, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi clarified that the discussions would be indirect but of high-level nature, describing the talks as “an opportunity and a test”.
The move comes nearly seven years after Trump unilaterally pulled the US out of the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, sparking renewed hostilities. Now, the talks represent a significant step forward in attempts to curb Iran's nuclear programme amid growing international concerns.
"We’re having direct talks with Iran... and we’ll see what can happen," Trump said, adding, “If the talks aren’t successful, I actually think it’ll be a very bad day for Iran.”
The talks will reportedly involve Araghchi and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, albeit through intermediaries.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who met Trump recently, said the US and Israel were “united in ensuring Iran never gets nuclear weapons,” even drawing parallels to the Libya model—a comparison Tehran has firmly rejected.
Iran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful, but the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently raised red flags after detecting 275 kg of uranium enriched to 60%, which is close to weapons-grade.
In the background, Oman has quietly acted as a mediator, delivering secret letters between Washington and Tehran. Iran’s President Massoud Pezeshkian acknowledged the correspondence, adding, “We don’t avoid talks. But the breach of promises has caused the trust deficit.”
While the Muslim world watches cautiously, regional dynamics have also shifted. Iran’s traditional deterrents—Hamas and Hezbollah—have been weakened following intense conflict with Israel over the past 18 months.
As Saturday’s talks approach, global stakeholders hope for de-escalation, though the path to a lasting deal remains fraught with distrust and historical baggage.