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US-Iran talks
Ali Khamenei
Khamenei downplaying talks as non important, calling for more trade with China and Russia
Iranian officials General Baqeri and Ali Khamenei
DateApril 12, 2025
Venue(s)Oman Al Alam Palace Muscat, Oman
Italy Ambasciata del Sultanato dell'Oman Rome, Italy
ParticipantsUnited States Special Envoy Steve Witkoff
Director of Policy Planning Michael Anton[1]
Iran Minister of foreign relations Abbas Araghchi
FollowsTrump's letter to Iran, JCPOA
Key points

The United States and Iran have begun a series of talks aimed at reaching a nuclear peace agreement,[2][3][4] following a letter from President Donald Trump to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.[5] The first round was held in Oman on April 12, 2025, led by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.[6][7] The discussions were described as constructive.[6]

The second round of Omani-mediated talks took place in Rome on April 19, 2025, again with indirect discussions between Witkoff and Araghchi.[8] Talks are set to continue, including planned expert-level meetings.[9]

US military has been building up its presence in the Middle East as the threat of war escalates. US bases throughout the region accommodate approximately 50,000 American troops.[10][11][12] As part of the peace proposals, Iran offered to build at least 19 additional reactors, suggesting that contracts for these projects could help revive the struggling U.S. nuclear industry.[13]

Pre-talk positions

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In February 2025 Trump reinstated the "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran, aiming to compel Tehran to negotiate a new nuclear agreement while preventing its development of nuclear weapons and countering its regional influence.[14] After making his letter to Khamenei public, Trump said that Iran "cannot have a nuclear weapon" and warned of possible military action if the talks failed.[15][16]

Several news outlets have reported that prior to the talks, Iran had proposed a three-step plan for the United States to agree to a deal:

  1. Iranians are given access to their funds blocked by sanctions in foreign banks. Iran will reduce enrichment to 3.67% uranium purity.
  2. The United States should prevent European countries from triggering the snapback restoration of UN sanctions on the Iranian regime. Iran will ratify Non-Proliferation Treaty and stop high percentage nuclear enrichment.
  3. A nuclear peace agreement is reached. Sanctions against Iran are lifted, and Iran transfers all enriched uranium to a third-party country.[17]

Iran had reportedly also proposed steps to deescalate tensions, including a pledge to disarm and freeze the activities of Hamas, the Houthis, Hezbollah, and Hashd al-Shaabi.[18]

Russia has denied any military assistance to Iran in the event of a U.S. military invasion, while asserting that such an invasion would ultimately fail.[19][20]

Participants

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  • Steve Witkoff - White House special envoy leading the American side of the negotiations with Iran.
    • Director of Policy Planning Michael Anton[21]
    • Department of State representatives
    • Department of Treasury representatives[22]
  • Abbas Araghchi - Iranian foreign minister who insisted on indirect talks and has published an op-ed in The Washington Post to appeal to Trump.[23]


There are no European negotiators.[24][25]

Timeline

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Iran-US negotiations for a deal have been ongoing since 1995.[26] A nuclear agreement was reached in 2015, from which Trump withdrew in 2018.[5]

On March 7, 2025 Trump's letter to Iran was made public, expressing his desire to initiate new nuclear talks.[27] Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Eslami declared Iran plans to build more nuclear power plants.[28]

The first talks were held on April 12, 2025 in Oman, Muscat.[29] The talks were led by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi; each delegation was in separate rooms, with messages relayed through Omani mediators.[24][30][31][6] The discussions were described as constructive.[6] Afterwards, the leaders of both negotiating teams spoke briefly in person.[29]
Khamenei wrote a letter that Araghchi delivered to Putin on April 16. Russia then ratified the Iranian–Russian Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.[32]

The second round of Omani-mediated talks in Rome occurred on Saturday, April 19, 2025, one week after the initial meeting in Muscat, the capital of Oman in four hours[8]. Once again, the indirect discussions were led by Araghchi and Witkoff, with messages conveyed through Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi. To facilitate progress toward an agreement, are scheduled to commence in Oman on Wednesday. Experts from both parties will engage in discussions regarding the implementation of sanctions relief and its implications for Iran's nuclear program in Geneva.[8][33]

Trump’s special envoy, Witkoff, aims to finalize the deal within 60 days; however, he is likely to encounter resistance from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi due to the significant mistrust between the two parties. Another critical issue is Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and its potential destruction, for which the US would agree to lift economic sanctions. While Iran intends to retain its enriched uranium stockpile within its borders, the US insists on transferring it to a third country. Additionally, Iran seeks guarantees to protect itself in the event that the US withdraws from or violates the agreement.[8]

Issues

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Marco Rubio has said Iran can have a civilian nuclear energy program instead of a military WMD atomic weapons program.[34] On April 23rd Iran was reported to be building air defenses against missile attack.[35][36] Times of Oman reported Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi was taped while he stole a gold pen during talks. The Iranian regime demanded an apology from Oman Times.[37][38][39][40]

Reactions

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Iranians

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Iranian Rial slightly gained and Tehran Stock Exchange rose 2.16%.[41] Former Prince Reza Pahlavi called on the United States to take out the Iranian regime rather than talks.[42] Widespread speculations grew into Embassy of the United States, Tehran possibly handed over to US.[43] Kayhan London described the talks as major failure of the Iranian regime while Kayhan state propaganda claimed Iran has the upper hand.[44][45][46]The talks caused division and drift among members of ultra hard extremist Front of Islamic Revolution Stability party.[47] Iran charged two newspapers media executives for their coverage of the talks.[48]

US

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On April 18 secretary of state Marco Rubio urged European countries to trigger the snapback mechanism of the 2015 nuclear deal, which had originally been scheduled for activation in October 2025.[49] Secretary of defense Pete Hegseth and national security advisor Mike Waltz are reportedly divided on whether US military should attack Iran.[50] Trump told reporters he is in no rush to attack Iran and it still has a chance to "live happily without death".[51]

Former special representative for Iran Elliott Abrams argued that Trump does not seek war. However, should the talks fail, Iran’s nuclear program should be destroyed by Israel and/or the US. [52] Policital commentator Tucker Carlson argued this to be the worst time for US military intervention in Iran.[53]

Global

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Initialy oil futures prices dropped 1.4%.[54] Saudi Arabia commended negotiations to restrain Iran more.[55] Israel supported deweaponization of Iranian atomic energy establishments Libya model like that of Disarmament of Libya.[56] Trump revealed Israel would lead attack on Iranian nuclear establishments.[57] Farnaz Fassihi of New York Times reported Khamenei wanted to come to negotiations after his advisors insisted upon it.[58]

Al Monitor reported the Chinese have also came to support Iranian regime through strengthened relations.[59][60]

Although the relationship between IAEA director Rafael Grossi and Trump's negotiating team is unclear, Grossi is scheduled to visit Iran in the third week of April 2025.[7] Iranian military advisor and security council politician Shamkhani has warned Iran will throw out IAEA inspectors.[61]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ https://english.alarabiya.net/News/united-states/2025/04/24/us-names-michael-anton-to-lead-for-technical-talks-with-iran-politico-reports
  2. ^ Tharoor, Ishaan (April 11, 2025). "Trump tries to fix the Iran nuclear deal he broke". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  3. ^ Broadwater, Luke; Sanger, David E. (April 9, 2025). "Trump Wants an Iran Nuclear Deal, but It Must Be Better Than Obama's". The New York Times.
  4. ^ Ravid, Barak (April 10, 2025). "Scoop: Iran wants to explore interim nuclear deal in talks with U.S., sources say". Axios.
  5. ^ a b Press, Associated (April 9, 2025). "A Timeline of the Tensions Between Iran and the U.S." TIME.
  6. ^ a b c d Motamedi, Maziar (April 12, 2025). "Iran, US conclude 'constructive' nuclear talks in Oman, agree to meet again". Al Jazeera. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  7. ^ a b Wintour, Patrick. "Iran and US agree to continue nuclear talks after first indirect round". theguardian.
  8. ^ a b c d "Moscow may gain key role in Iran nuclear deal as US talks progress". the guardian.
  9. ^ Hafezi, Parisa (April 19, 2025). "Iran, US task experts with framework for a nuclear deal after 'progress' in talks". Reuters. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  10. ^ "An Explosive Clock Is Ticking on Iran and Its Nuclear Program". April 8, 2025.
  11. ^ "Trump says US in direct nuclear talks with Iran". www.bbc.com. April 8, 2025.
  12. ^ Ravid, Barak (April 2, 2025). "Trump seriously considering Iran's offer of indirect nuclear talks". Axios.
  13. ^ O'Connor, Tom (April 21, 2025). "Iran offers to help Trump revive US nuclear sector in canceled speech". Newsweek. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  14. ^ "Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Restores Maximum Pressure on Iran". The White House. February 5, 2025. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  15. ^ Holland, Steve; Spetalnick, Matt; Parisa, Hafezi. "Trump says US, Iran set for direct nuclear talks; Tehran says they will be indirect". reuters.
  16. ^ Gram Slattery, Steve Holland (April 15, 2025). "Trump says Iran must give up dream of nuclear weapon or face harsh response". Reuters. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  17. ^ https://www.iranintl.com/202504176413
  18. ^ https://www.atalayar.com/en/articulo/politics/iran-proposes-to-disarm-its-regional-allies-in-exchange-for-an-end-to-washingtons-maximum-pressure/20250418170000213537.html
  19. ^ "Russia signals response to possible US attack on Iran". Newsweek. April 8, 2025.
  20. ^ "Russia says bombing Iran will fail after Trump issues threats". April 9, 2025 – via www.ynetnews.com.
  21. ^ https://english.alarabiya.net/News/united-states/2025/04/24/us-names-michael-anton-to-lead-for-technical-talks-with-iran-politico-reports
  22. ^ https://www.irna.ir/news/85811561/%D9%86%D9%85%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AF%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AC%D9%87-%D9%88-%D8%AE%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D8%B1%DA%A9%DB%8C%D8%A8-%D8%AA%DB%8C%D9%85-%D9%81%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%B1%DB%8C%DA%A9%D8%A7
  23. ^ Araghchi, Seyed Abbas (April 8, 2025). "Iran's foreign minister: The ball is in America's court". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  24. ^ a b "As Iran nuclear talks get underway in Oman, excluded Europeans are wary". April 12, 2025 – via Le Monde.
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  26. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20250418165844/https://www.ettelaat.com/news/88775/%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84-%DB%B1%DB%B3%DB%B7%DB%B4-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%B1%DB%8C%DA%A9%D8%A7-%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1-%DA%AF%D9%81%D8%AA-%D9%88%DA%AF%D9%88-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B4%D8%AF-%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%AF%DB%8C%D9%88#
  27. ^ Agence France-Presse (March 8, 2025). "Iran's supreme leader rails against Trump's 'bullying' military threat". The Guardian. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
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  30. ^ https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/04/11/us-iran-nuclear-talks-witkoff-trump/
  31. ^ https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/04/08/iran-indirect-negotiations-united-states/
  32. ^ https://www.bbc.com/persian/articles/c0elzl8jpeno.amp
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  38. ^ https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b10212201e
  39. ^ https://www.etemadonline.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%A8%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%84%D9%84-17/707968-%D8%B3%D9%81%DB%8C%D8%B1-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%AF%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C
  40. ^ https://factnameh.com/fa/fact-checks/2025-04-15-iran-us-negotiator-filch-gold-pen
  41. ^ https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/anxious-iranians-hope-nuclear-talks-may-ease-risk-us-attack-2025-04-09/
  42. ^ Rod, Marc (April 8, 2025). "Reza Pahlavi: U.S. has a third path on Iran aside from diplomacy, military strikes". Jewish Insider.
  43. ^ Sinaiee, Maryam (April 13, 2025). "Speculation grows in Iran over US embassy handover following talks". www.iranintl.com.
  44. ^ "Round One: Iran Has the Upper Hand". en. April 12, 2025.
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  46. ^ لندن, کیهان. "گزارش تحلیلی هفته؛ کارتِ برنده در دست مردم است!".
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  48. ^ https://ensafnews.com/588358/%D8%A7%D8%B9%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%AC%D8%B1%D9%85-%D8%B9%D9%84%DB%8C%D9%87-%D8%AF%D9%88-%D9%85%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%AF%D9%84%DB%8C%D9%84-%D8%A7%D8%B8/
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  53. ^ https://thehill.com/opinion/5255016-iran-nuclear-talks-trump/
  54. ^ https://www.wsj.com/finance/commodities-futures/oil-falls-after-iran-says-talks-with-u-s-to-continue-8454b70f
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  61. ^ "پاسخ وزارت خارجه آمریکا به بی‌بی‌سی: تهدید به اخراج بازرسان یک اشتباه محاسباتی است". bbc.com/persian (in Persian). Retrieved April 11, 2025.


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