Iran seeks real and fair nuclear agreement with US in Oman talks

Tehran prepares for indirect negotiations with Washington as tensions rise ahead of Muscat meeting.

Iranian newspapers displaying portraits of Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, White House special envoy Steve Witkoff, and the late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah are seen at a newsstand in downtown Tehran, Iran, on April 9, 2025. Photo by Morteza Nikoubazl/Nur

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Iran seeks real and fair nuclear agreement with US—that was the message delivered by a senior Iranian official just hours before high-stakes nuclear negotiations were set to begin in Oman. The remarks, made by Ali Shamkhani, a top adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, signaled Tehran’s readiness for serious dialogue but also hinted at the possibility of heightened tensions if talks break down.

The planned discussions, which will take place in Muscat on Saturday, mark a pivotal moment in the decades-long standoff between Iran and the United States. Both countries have expressed interest in diplomacy, but their approaches remain sharply different. Iran says it wants practical outcomes. The US, led by President Donald Trump at the time, has offered a stark warning: come to an agreement, or face consequences.

Tehran’s push for substance over spectacle

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Shamkhani made it clear that Tehran’s objective is not merely a diplomatic showpiece but a substantive accord that can be realistically implemented.

"Far from putting up a show and merely talking in front of the cameras, Tehran is seeking a real and fair agreement," Shamkhani wrote. He emphasized that Iran has prepared “important and implementable proposals” for the meeting.

According to the statement, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has been given full authority to lead the talks and respond dynamically based on how the United States behaves during the indirect negotiations. The venue—Oman—has long served as a quiet facilitator for backchannel diplomacy between Tehran and Washington, dating back to previous phases of the nuclear deal.

Shamkhani added that if the US approaches the discussion with “honesty and a genuine will to reach a deal,” the talks could proceed smoothly.

Rising tensions and the Trump factor

The Oman negotiations come in the shadow of escalating rhetoric. Just weeks prior, President Trump sent a letter directly to Ayatollah Khamenei. Though the exact content of the letter has not been made public, reports indicate it was a mix of diplomatic outreach and blunt warnings.

Trump has made it clear that military action is “on the table” should Iran reject any agreement or push forward with what Washington views as aggressive nuclear activity. His administration continues to demand that any new deal must include stricter limits on uranium enrichment, extended inspection rights for international observers, and tighter controls over Iran’s missile program.

Iran, on the other hand, insists on the full removal of economic sanctions that have crippled its economy since the US withdrew from the original Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018.

A complex diplomatic backdrop

The international community is watching closely. European countries, many of which were co-signatories to the original 2015 nuclear agreement, have quietly urged both sides to seize this chance to de-escalate. Russia and China, key partners to Iran in recent years, have also voiced support for renewed diplomacy.

For Iran, the stakes are high. Years of sanctions have drained its economy, intensified domestic unrest, and strained regional ties. A real and fair nuclear agreement with the US could lead to much-needed economic relief and international reintegration.

But Khamenei’s regime is walking a fine line. Conceding too much could provoke backlash at home, where hardliners oppose any negotiation with Washington. Conversely, walking away from the table could further isolate Iran and trigger more punitive actions from the US and its allies.

The role of Oman as a neutral host

Oman’s capital, Muscat, has become a quiet but critical venue for Iran-US diplomacy. Known for its neutral stance in regional affairs, Oman has previously facilitated secret discussions between the two nations, including those that laid the groundwork for the 2015 deal.

This weekend’s talks reflect a familiar pattern: indirect negotiations, messages passed via intermediaries, and a deliberate lack of media access. The secrecy underscores both the sensitivity and fragility of the discussions.

Still, observers note that even indirect contact between Iranian and American officials is a step forward, especially after years of stagnation and saber-rattling.

Trump’s calculated pressure

From Washington’s perspective, Trump’s strategy is built on pressure. By coupling the offer of talks with threats of military retaliation, the White House believes it can force Iran to accept stricter terms.

“If Iran wants to avoid military conflict, the path is simple—come to the table and negotiate,” a senior White House official said earlier this week.

But critics argue that Trump’s maximum pressure campaign has backfired. Instead of curbing Iran’s nuclear program, Tehran has resumed enrichment activities and expanded its regional influence through proxies in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen.

That’s why Saturday’s meeting in Oman is viewed not just as another round of diplomacy, but potentially a turning point in US-Iran relations.

What Iran wants—and what it won’t give up

Tehran’s core demands are consistent: a complete rollback of economic sanctions, recognition of its right to peaceful nuclear energy, and no interference in its regional policies. Iranian officials have repeatedly said they are open to monitoring and inspection, but will not compromise on their sovereignty.

Iran also wants guarantees that any new deal will not be subject to sudden reversal by future US administrations—a direct reference to Trump’s withdrawal from the JCPOA after it had been approved under President Obama.

Whether the two sides can bridge these gaps remains to be seen. But what’s clear is that Iran is entering the talks with serious intentions. The presence of Foreign Minister Araghchi, armed with full negotiating power, shows that Tehran is willing to engage—so long as the agreement is “real and fair.”

As the world watches the Muscat talks unfold, both Iran and the United States face tough decisions. For Iran, the choice is between continued economic hardship or the political risk of compromise. For the US, it’s between military escalation or a return to complex, drawn-out diplomacy.

Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain: Iran seeks a real and fair nuclear agreement with the US, not just a symbolic handshake for the cameras. The road to peace may be long, but this weekend could determine whether it's still open—or already closing.