Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to visit Oman for a new round of indirect negotiations with the United States, potentially offering President Donald Trump a rare opportunity to revive the 2015 nuclear agreement he abandoned in 2018. Speaking from Algeria, Araghchi emphasized that while Iran is open to discussions, the initiative must come from Washington. “The ball is in America’s court,” he stated, adding that Tehran has no intention of shifting from the current indirect negotiation format.
These talks come in the shadow of the U.S. withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a landmark deal that limited Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Following the exit, the Trump administration intensified sanctions, aiming to pressure Iran into halting its missile program and cutting ties with Resistance forces. However, this “maximum pressure campaign” only exacerbated Iran’s economic woes without curbing its strategic initiatives.
In fact, Iran has since made notable advancements in its nuclear and defense sectors, while bolstering its alliances across West Asia. The current administration has continued to push Iran toward renegotiation, with Trump even sending a letter to Iran’s Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, requesting talks. Tehran agreed to explore dialogue but firmly limited the scope to nuclear issues alone.
Araghchi reiterated Iran’s stance in Algeria, stating that any sanctions based on unfounded accusations must be lifted. He stressed that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful and that any restrictions impeding national interests are unacceptable. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has backed Iran’s claim, reporting no sign of weaponization in its nuclear activities.
Despite Iran’s willingness to talk, mistrust runs deep. Tehran remains wary of U.S. intentions, especially after Trump misrepresented the nature of the upcoming talks during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, falsely suggesting they would be direct. Such moves are seen as attempts to sow division and shape public perception.
Still, the U.S. has made some concessions by accepting Oman as a mediator, abandoning its initial preference for the UAE. Yet, unless Washington respects Iran’s red lines and offers genuine concessions, the chances of a breakthrough remain slim. As Araghchi cautioned in a recent opinion piece, any military option would be catastrophic and must be taken off the table for progress to occur.
