Muscat (TDI): The United States and Iran begin high-stakes negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program today, with President Donald Trump threatening military action should they fail to produce a new agreement.
The talks will be the highest-level discussions between the foes since an international deal on Iran’s nuclear program crumbled after Trump pulled out in 2018 during his first term in office.
Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are set to lead the negotiations behind closed doors in Muscat, Oman, which has long played a mediating role between Tehran and Western nations.
Upon arriving Muscat on Saturday morning, Araghchi held meetings with Omani officials.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Saturday Tehran seeks a “fair and honorable” agreement with the United States, hours before the start of negotiations between the two sides.
“We want to reach a fair and honorable deal from an equal standing, and if the US also comes from the same position, then an initial understanding is expected that will lead to a path of talks,” he said.
Read More: Trump Vows Military Action Against Iran if Talks Fail
Hours before the discussions were due to start Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One: “I want Iran to be a wonderful, great, happy nation. But they can’t have a nuclear weapon.”
Trump had made a surprise announcement last Monday that the negotiations would take place.
Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s adviser Ali Shamkhani said Tehran was “seeking a real and fair deal,” adding that “important and implementable proposals are ready.”
Read More: Iran Gives ‘Genuine Chance’ to Diplomacy with US
If the US showed goodwill, the way forward would be “smooth,” he said in a statement.
The format for the negotiations has not been confirmed, with the US calling them direct talks but Tehran insisting on an intermediary.
