Iran to Resume Indirect Negotiations with the U.S. on Nuclear Deal

The Iranian government has announced its intention to continue indirect discussions with the United States concerning its nuclear program. Following a prolonged hiatus, the U.S. and Iran have initiated talks mediated by Oman, focusing solely on nuclear issues and the lifting of sanctions.

According to a statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the upcoming negotiations are set to maintain an indirect format, with Oman acting as the intermediary. The spokesperson for the ministry indicated that while the venue for the next round of talks is still under consideration, the discussions are expected to proceed in a constructive manner.

In the initial round of talks, which took place on Saturday, representatives from both nations convened in separate rooms and exchanged their perspectives through Oman's Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi. Although the delegations did not engage in direct dialogue for the majority of the discussions, a brief conversation was held at the conclusion of the meeting.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry described the atmosphere of the discussions as constructive and respectful, a sentiment echoed by officials from the White House, who characterized the talks as positive. U.S. President Donald Trump has emphasized the importance of resolving differences through dialogue and diplomacy, thus sending U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, to facilitate the negotiations.

Prior to the negotiations, Trump had reiterated calls for direct talks with Iran, highlighting the absence of diplomatic relations between the two countries for the past 45 years. The resumption of discussions comes at a time when the Iranian government is facing significant economic challenges exacerbated by the reimposition of sanctions following the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement.

Experts suggest that the Iranian leadership is eager to alleviate economic pressures through the easing of sanctions, especially considering the growing dissatisfaction among the Iranian populace. The situation remains delicate as both sides navigate the complexities of establishing a new framework for negotiations while addressing longstanding grievances.

As the negotiations progress, the international community is closely monitoring developments, hoping for a resolution that could stabilize the region and restore some level of diplomatic engagement between the U.S. and Iran.