US and Iran Hold High-Stakes Nuclear Talks in Oman as Fears of War Continue
Washington moved an ‘armada’ to the region last month in an effort to pressure Tehran into a deal. Iran and the United States are engaged in critical negotiations in Oman, with the looming threat of US military action should the two sides fail to reach an agreement on Tehran’s nuclear programme. The talks occur against a backdrop of heightened military posturing and deep-seated diplomatic distrust.
Diplomatic Efforts Amid Military Pressure
Tehran dispatched Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Muscat on Friday to discuss terms of a potential deal with a US delegation. This move followed Washington’s decision to rush warships to the region, a clear strategy to pressure the Iranian regime into substantive talks. Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner received Araghchi’s preliminary plan through Omani mediators, though the precise subjects under discussion remain shrouded in secrecy.
In the days leading up to the negotiations, both sides appeared significantly divided. Tehran initially demanded a change in the location of the talks, while Washington pushed to expand the agenda to cover Iran’s stockpile of ballistic missiles, its support for armed groups across the Middle East, and the regime’s treatment of its own citizens. Iran, however, insisted it was only open to discussing its nuclear programme, maintaining a firm stance on its sovereign rights.
Public Statements and Underlying Tensions
“Iran enters diplomacy with open eyes and a steady memory of the past year,” stated Mr Araghchi on Friday ahead of the talks. “We engage in good faith and stand firm on our rights. Commitments need to be honoured.” This rhetoric underscores the deep historical grievances and mutual suspicions that have long plagued US-Iran relations.
The United States has sought to revive diplomatic efforts after discussions last year were derailed by Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, followed by US bombing of key nuclear facilities. Relations deteriorated further in January when Donald Trump threatened the regime over its brutal crackdown on antigovernment protests, adding another layer of complexity to the nuclear negotiations.
Military Posturing and Covert Threats
In a stark display of defiance, Iran’s state television announced hours before the talks that “one of the country’s most advanced long-range ballistic missiles, the Khorramshahr-4,” had been deployed at one of the Revolutionary Guards’ vast underground “missile cities.” This move signals Tehran’s readiness to respond militarily if diplomacy fails.
Speaking on Thursday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a clear warning to Iran, emphasising that the US retains the option of military force should discussions break down. “While these negotiations are taking place, I would remind the Iranian regime that the president has many options at his disposal, aside from diplomacy, as the commander-in-chief of the most powerful military in the history of the world,” she declared.
Internal Pressures and Human Rights Concerns
Iranian current and former officials revealed earlier this week that the country’s leadership fears US strikes could reignite antigovernment protests, potentially breaking the regime’s grip on power. This internal vulnerability adds urgency to the negotiations from Tehran’s perspective.
Meanwhile, lawyers in Iran expressed grave concerns that the regime is awaiting the outcome of the talks before deciding whether to execute citizens arrested during last month’s unrest. Several legal experts reported a sharp increase in raids on protesters’ homes in recent weeks, alongside a dramatic rise in demands for the death penalty. “My assessment is that they are waiting to see how things settle with Trump, and if the risk of a military strike subsides, they will execute thousands. Even in recent weeks, however, we have received reports of the secret execution of several detainees,” disclosed one defence lawyer from the northern Mazandaran province.
Historical Context and Technical Stumbling Blocks
The US and Iran previously held talks aimed at reaching a nuclear peace agreement last April. Uranium enrichment emerged as a recurring point of contention, with the US insisting Iran must abandon the practice and Iran asserting its right to pursue peaceful nuclear energy. Two days before those talks were due to resume, Israel carried out strikes on Iranian military infrastructure, commanders, and nuclear sites. The US later joined the offensive, bombing key nuclear facilities deep underground. US intelligence concluded at the time that these actions likely only set Iran’s nuclear work back by a matter of months, highlighting the persistent challenges in curbing Tehran’s capabilities.
As the negotiations in Oman proceed, the world watches closely, aware that the stakes could not be higher. The outcome will not only shape the future of nuclear non-proliferation in the Middle East but also determine whether the region edges closer to peace or plunges into further conflict.
