Egypt Daily News – In a rare diplomatic development, Iran and the United States engaged in high-level discussions on Saturday in Muscat, Oman—talks that both sides described as “constructive.” The negotiations focused solely on Iran’s nuclear program and the potential lifting of Western sanctions, marking the most direct engagement between the two long-standing adversaries since Washington’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal under President Donald Trump in 2018.
The meeting was mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi and brought together key figures on both sides. The Iranian delegation was led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, a veteran diplomat and one of the original architects of the 2015 nuclear agreement. Representing the U.S. was Steve Witkoff, a Trump-appointed envoy and real estate businessman. Although the format was officially indirect, the two men briefly met face-to-face during the session.
Looking ahead, a second round of talks is scheduled for Saturday, April 19. While the venue may change, Iran has confirmed that Oman will continue to serve as mediator. According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei, the talks will remain indirect and confined to the nuclear issue and sanctions relief.
Despite expectations that Washington might push to expand the agenda to include Iran’s ballistic missile program and regional activities, Tehran remains adamant that the negotiations will stay focused on nuclear matters only.
President Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, commented, “I think they’re going well. Nothing matters until something is done.” The White House later issued a statement calling the discussions “a step forward,” highlighting the brief direct contact between Witkoff and Araghchi as a positive sign.
Throughout the meeting, both delegations stayed in separate rooms, with messages passed through Omani mediators. Al-Busaidi described the environment as “friendly,” and said the aim is to reach a “fair and binding agreement.”
Iranian media outlets largely welcomed the talks. The conservative Javan newspaper commended the U.S. for not expanding the scope beyond nuclear issues, while the state-run Iran newspaper and reformist Shargh described the meeting as respectful and potentially transformative. In contrast, the hardline Kayhan expressed skepticism, criticizing the lack of a fallback plan and lamenting the absence of military deterrence or demands for dismantling nuclear infrastructure.
The backdrop to these talks is the unraveling of the 2015 nuclear agreement, which was intended to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons in exchange for sanctions relief. Since the U.S. exit from the deal, Iran has incrementally rolled back its commitments, significantly increasing uranium enrichment. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently reported that Iran has amassed 274.8 kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity—close to the 90% needed for weaponization—triggering alarm internationally.
Iran insists its nuclear program is strictly for civilian use. Witkoff, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, reiterated the U.S. demand for full dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear capabilities but left the door open for alternative settlements, as long as Iran does not move toward weaponization.
The talks also took place under the shadow of recent U.S. and Israeli threats of military action should diplomacy fail. Trump has stated that military intervention remains an option, while Iran has warned it may expel IAEA inspectors in response to escalating pressure—a move that Washington has called a dangerous escalation.
For Tehran, the goal is clear: lifting decades-old sanctions that have crippled its economy. Despite the lingering hostility and rhetoric, its participation in these talks indicates a willingness to pursue what officials call a “realistic and honorable” agreement.
With another round of negotiations on the horizon and Oman remaining at the heart of the mediation effort, the coming weeks may prove decisive. The world now watches to see whether this new chapter of diplomacy leads to a revived nuclear deal—or a return to confrontation.
