Image Credentials: Image Title: Iran Ready for Nuclear Talks with U.S. — But Demands No ‘Military Option’ Source: AI-Generated Image (DALL-E) Date: April 2025 Attribution: Created by AI-generated imagery (DALL-E), and it does not depict a real-world scene.
By Staff Writer with Agencies
TEHRAN — Iranian President confirmed Monday that Iran is prepared to engage in talks with the U.S. this weekend over its nuclear program, with the goal of “sealing a deal.” However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that before meaningful negotiations can begin, the U.S. must commit to ruling out any “military option” and agree to no further coercive measures.
In a statement published by the Washington Post, Araghchi outlined that Iran would participate in indirect talks scheduled for Saturday in Oman, marking a significant step in efforts to revive discussions over Iran’s nuclear activities. These talks are the first direct talks between Iran and the U.S. in years, following President Donald Trump’s decision in 2018 to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal, which had lifted sanctions in exchange for Iran limiting its nuclear program.
“We will meet in Oman on Saturday for indirect negotiations. It is as much an opportunity as it is a test,” Araghchi stated, highlighting that the U.S. must abandon any threat of military action to pave the way for fruitful diplomacy.
The announcement comes amid rising tensions over Iran’s nuclear advancements. Iran has increasingly breached the restrictions imposed by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and recent reports have revealed that Iran has stockpiled highly-enriched uranium nearing weapons-grade levels. This has prompted growing fears about Iran’s potential to build nuclear weapons, a development that could spark a regional arms race.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who is set to meet with his special envoy Steve Witkoff on the sidelines of the talks, has warned that Iran faces “great danger” if the negotiations do not yield results. Trump, alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has repeatedly stated that military action remains on the table if Iran does not agree to dismantle its nuclear program.
“I think everybody agrees that doing a deal would be preferable to doing the obvious,” Trump said during a press conference on Monday, adding that failure to reach an agreement would lead to “a very bad day for Iran.”
However, Araghchi firmly rejected any notion of coercion or military threats in the negotiation process. He emphasized that Iran would not accept the “Libyan model” proposed by Netanyahu, which calls for the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program under U.S. supervision.
“The proud Iranian nation, whose strength my government relies on for real deterrence, will never accept coercion and imposition,” Araghchi said.
The upcoming talks will be indirect, contrary to Trump’s earlier suggestion that they could be direct, a point that has added some confusion to the diplomatic process. Araghchi acknowledged that Iran harbors “serious doubts” about the U.S. government’s sincerity, particularly after the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign, which reinstated crippling sanctions on Iran in 2021.
For its part, Iran has always maintained that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes, asserting that it has no interest in developing nuclear weapons. However, with tensions escalating, both sides seem to be heading into this weekend’s negotiations with limited trust and significant stakes.
Iran Foreign Minister: "We will not negotiate under pressure, threats or sanctions. As long as the US continues its 'maximum pressure' campaign against Iran, direct nuclear talks will be impossible." pic.twitter.com/JOJvBEbYSC
— COMBATE |🇵🇷 (@upholdreality) February 26, 2025
Araghchi reiterated Iran’s willingness to engage constructively but underscored that Tehran would never agree to dismantle its nuclear infrastructure, especially considering the country’s historical right to peaceful nuclear energy development under international law.
The U.S. side, led by Witkoff, has made clear that it intends to press for full dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program, a stance that has raised concerns within the Iranian leadership. Reports indicate that the U.S. could offer a verification program to ensure that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons, but key obstacles remain in the path to agreement.
Meanwhile, Israel has been vocal about its stance, with Netanyahu making it clear that Israel would not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons under any circumstances. The Israeli prime minister reiterated that Israel was prepared to take military action if necessary while also supporting diplomatic efforts.
As the clock ticks down to the talks in Oman, the world watches closely, with hopes that a diplomatic breakthrough could lead to a resolution of one of the most volatile issues in global security. Whether the upcoming talks will mark a new beginning or escalate tensions further remains to be seen.
Staff Writers at Open Chronicle produce in-depth, field-informed reporting on defense, diplomacy, cultural transformation, and global affairs. Known for clarity, accuracy, and analytical depth, they connect breaking developments to broader historical and strategic contexts. In addition to frontline journalism, Staff Writers also contribute to the Open Chronicle Encyclopedia, crafting authoritative entries that preserve critical knowledge and enrich public understanding.