Stage set for nuclear talks marked by warnings and distrust

“He wants to see whether it’s possible to close a deal. And I’ll remind the Iranian regime—the president has many options on the table.”

By World Israel News Staff

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Oman on Thursday ahead of the opening of indirect nuclear talks with U.S. envoys, as both sides set out sharply contrasting messages on the eve of negotiations scheduled to begin Friday morning in Muscat.

Speaking as Araghchi’s visit was announced, Ali Shamkhani—recently appointed secretary of Iran’s Leadership Council—praised the foreign minister as “a skilled and strategic negotiator who enjoys the trust of the highest decision-making levels and of the military and intelligence institutions.”

Shamkhani framed the talks as part of a broader national effort, saying that “the soldiers of the Iranian nation in the armed forces, alongside the generals of diplomacy and under the command of the Supreme Leader, are sparing no effort to defend the interests of the nation.”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei said Araghchi is leading a diplomatic delegation to Muscat to conduct nuclear negotiations with the United States, describing the effort as aimed at reaching “a fair, agreed-upon, and dignified understanding on the nuclear issue.” At the same time, Baghaei struck a cautious tone, stressing that Tehran remains shaped by past experience.

“The bitter experiences of the past—including previous violations of commitments, the military aggression in June, and foreign interventions in January—are very much before our eyes,” he said. “We see ourselves as committed to demanding the rights of the Iranian people. At the same time, we have a responsibility not to miss any opportunity to use diplomacy to secure the interests of the Iranian nation and preserve peace and calm in the region.”

From Washington, the White House underscored that expectations remain narrow. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have departed for Oman to conduct the talks, adding, “We’ll see what comes out of them. The president is waiting for a report after the discussions.”

She emphasized that President Donald Trump has been explicit about his bottom line. “The president has been very clear about his demands: zero nuclear capabilities,” she said. “He wants to see whether it’s possible to close a deal. And I’ll remind the Iranian regime—the president has many options on the table.”

The U.S. State Department further signaled that the nuclear issue is being addressed as part of a wider regional strategy. In a statement, the department said that “dismantling terrorist organizations operating on Iran’s behalf and fostering peace in the Middle East are essential components of President Trump’s agenda.”

It noted that a senior Middle East official met Tuesday with Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Joseph Aoun to continue discussions on “the disarmament of all armed elements not affiliated with the Lebanese government.”

The meeting was originally planned for Istanbul but was shifted to Oman after Iran insisted the agenda be limited strictly to the nuclear file, rejecting U.S. and regional efforts to include ballistic missiles and Tehran’s proxy activity.

U.S. officials initially resisted, at one point signaling the meeting could be canceled, prompting urgent outreach from at least nine Middle Eastern governments urging the White House to proceed.

The talks now move forward against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions and a large U.S. military buildup across the Middle East, underscoring how narrow and fragile the diplomatic window remains as both sides test whether engagement can avert further escalation.

Whether Friday’s discussions mark a genuine opening—or simply another test of limits—will begin to become clear within hours.