US President Donald Trump made the announcement on April 7, 2025 that Washington and Tehran had started discussions over Iran’s nuclear program in Oman. In the past, Oman has acted as a negotiator between Tehran and the West. The two nations met in Muscat on Saturday, April 12 to talk about the possibility of a fresh nuclear deal.
Egyptian state television reported on Saturday that Iran and the United States may hold yet another round of discussions about Tehran’s nuclear programme for the week. This occurred at the conclusion of their first conference since Donald Trump’s re-election as chairman. The first clear exchange between the two parties since the Obama management, according to Iranian state TV, was between US Mideast minister Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The face-to-face talk was mentioned by Iranian state media, which indicated that things were going in a positive way.
The White House said in a speech on Saturday afternoon that the conversations were “very positive and constructive,” but that the problems involved were “very complicated.”
The White House stated that” Special Envoy Witkoff’s primary conversation today was a step forward in achieving a mutually advantageous outcome.”
The next round of negotiations will take place on Saturday, April 19, according to both the Egyptian and American factors.
President Trump withdrew the US from a previous nuclear agreement involving Iran and other world power in 2018 and reinstated monetary restrictions. Iran was vehemently opposed to this action.
If the negotiations don’t result in an deal, President Trump has also stated that military activity is possible.
Why is it forbidden for Iran to possess nuclear weapons?
Iran, which it signed along with the majority of other nations, is never permitted to possess nuclear weapons. This arrangement allows nations to only use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including electricity, medicine, and agriculture. It strictly forbids the creation of nuclear arms.
Iran claims that its nuclear program is only for civilian purposes, but many nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ) are not entirely convinced. Problems grew in 2002 as a result of Iran’s discovery of its key nuclear services, which were in violation of the NPT. Even though Iran continues to refute those promises, this raised the possibility that it might be attempting to build nuclear weapons.
Additionally, nations like Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United States worry that if Iran acquires nuclear weapons, it could spark a Middle East nuclear arms race and, in turn, increased volatility in the region’s now tumultuous area.
Iran is also seen by the US and its allies as a risk because of its support for organizations like Hezbollah and its antagonism to American influence in the area. Iran’s nuclear arsenal might be given, but having access to them might make it harder to enslave its local authority.
What was the Iran nuclear deal in 2015?
An agreement reached between Iran and six world powers, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, and Germany, was known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA ).
Iran agreed to limit its nuclear program under the terms of the agreement, which included limiting its stockpile of enriched uranium, reducing the number of centrifuges, and allowing regular inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ).
Iran’s economy was benefited and its exposure to international markets was made possible by lifting international sanctions against Iran. But, US President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and reinstated restrictions, which caused Iran to start violating some of the terms of the agreement.
Iran’s nuclear improvement since the 2015 nuclear package was abandoned
Iran has responded by not adhering to key portions of the nuclear agreement since the United States left the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA ) in 2018 and reinstated sanctions.
It has installed dozens of cutting-edge centrifuges to enrich uranium, which the JCPOA had prohibited. Uranium must be enriched to a 90 % beauty in order to produce nuclear weapons. Iran was only permitted to keep up to 300 kg of uranium enriched to 3.67 %, which is suitable for peaceful purposes like energy and research, under the JCPOA.
However, the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ) estimated that Iran had 275 kg of uranium enriched to 60 % by March 2025. That quantity, if more improved, might be sufficient to produce about six nuclear arms. According to US officials, Iran could make enough material for one bomb in around a week, but it might take between one and eight months to really create a weapon. Some experts think Iran may create a standard nuclear weapon in less than six months.
Trump withdrew from the 2015 cope, but why?
Iran was suspected of trying to build a nuclear weapon before the 2015 nuclear deal was overshadowed by the UN, US, and EU. Iran’s oil was prohibited from selling globally by these sanctions, and its assets were frozen. In Iran, as a result of this, there was a severe downturn and rising prices.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA ), which restricted Iran’s nuclear activities and made it possible for international inspections, was signed into law by Iran and six other world powers in 2015. The restrictions were lifted in exchange. The agreement was supposed to last for up to 15 times.
But, Donald Trump withdrawn the US from the deal when he assumed the presidency in 2018. Because it wasn’t continuous and didn’t include Iran’s missile program, he called it a “bad offer.” He re-imposition US sanctions as part of a “maximum pressure” plan to force Iran into a fresh accord. US allies like Israel, which claimed that Iran was keeping its nuclear program a secret and could use the money from sanctions pleasure to strengthen its defense, also supported Trump’s walk.
Why is the US currently negotiating the atomic offer?
Under President Donald Trump, the US wants to reach a fresh agreement with Iran that goes beyond the 2015 nuclear deal. Trump wants to demonstrate his ability to reach a “better” agreement that addresses issues like local influence and nuclear missiles as well as limiting Iran’s nuclear program.
The aim is to lower Middle Eastern tensions, particularly between Iran and Israel, and stop a new issue. Israel, in contrast, continues to be a seriously suspicious country and supports any upcoming nuclear weapons deal that would completely end Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated this week that” the agreement with Iran is appropriate only if the nuclear sites are destroyed under US supervision.” Usually, the only alternative is the defense option.
Given the serious mistrust that resulted from the US’s withdrawal from the original JCPOA and harsh sanctions against Iran, both parties are approaching discussions slowly.
What’s at play, though?
The initial 2015 nuclear agreement’s prospect is hanging by a thread, particularly with its utmost restrictions about to expire quickly. Iran might begin to develop nuclear weapons if the deal entirely fails, igniting concerns about a Middle Eastern nuclear arms race.
This poses a clear threat to Israel and was more destroy the area. Additionally, there is concern that Iran might collaborate with criminal or violent organizations, which would increase the risks to global stability. The goal of the ongoing discussions may affect how well diplomacy is maintained or how much conflict arises.
What kind of concessionary measures is Iran willing to accept?
Tehran is unlikely to give up its nuclear program completely, despite the US’s potential sanctions relief to help revitalize Iran’s damaged business. Iran has tremendously increased its uranium hoard since the US left the 2015 offer, enriching some of it up to 60 % — just a technical move away from weapons-grade.
It didn’t completely abandon its program, though. According to the news agency Associated Press, Netanyahu’s suggestion of a so-called Syrian solution to “you go in, punch up the facilities, dismantle all the equipment, under British supervision, National execution” is impossible.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other Iranian leaders have criticized what eventually transpired regarding late Syrian tyrant Moammar Gadhafi, who was shot by rebels during the region’s 2011 Arab Spring revolt, as a sign of what might transpire if you trust the United States.