The United States and Iran resume talks on the nuclear program under Trump's military threat

BeirutAfter months of stalemate, the United States and Iran have resumed talks in Muscat, in a move carefully mediated by Oman. The delegations presented their views on the Iranian nuclear program while the sultanate assessed whether the process could pave the way for direct dialogue between the parties.

The meeting represents a delicate step forward. For the moment, a common framework has been defined, although it remains unclear whether Washington and Tehran have reached any agreement to prevent another war. The context could not have been more tense. US military deployments in the region and the pressure of economic sanctions make it clear that diplomacy is walking a tightrope.

US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, accompanied by Jared Kushner, met with the Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who had previously spoken with his Omani counterpart, Sayyid Bad. Oman has played its traditional role as a discreet mediator, allowing Tehran to keep channels of dialogue open.

Araghchi insisted that the talks have been conducted on the basis of equality, mutual respect, and shared interests. He stressed that Iran has entered diplomacy with "its eyes open" and with the recent memory of previous confrontations, referring to the 12-day war in June in which the United States backed Israel's attack on Tehran. For its part, Washington maintained pressure and the threat of military action if the diplomatic route ultimately failed. The talks come after the brutal repression in Iran against anti-regime protesters And amid a sustained escalation of tensions with the United States.

The intervention of regional mediators such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman would have been key to keeping the negotiations open. Both sides have agreed to initially focus on the nuclear program and postpone the debate on ballistic missiles: Tehran has sought to proceed in phases, prioritizing confidence-building in the nuclear field before addressing other issues, while Washington has insisted on a broader approach that has included missiles and support for armed actors in the region. This clash of priorities highlights the fragility of the process and limits the possibilities for quick agreements.

Maximum tension

In parallel with the talks, the US virtual embassy in Iran has issued an alert urging American citizens to leave the country immediately, and US Central Command has released images of the aircraft carrier. USS Abraham Lincoln Replenishing supplies in the Arabian Sea, which confirms the reinforced naval presence in the region. Iran has warned of a regional escalation if its negotiating conditions are not respected, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that "conditions toward a critical mass" have been accumulating that could lead to the collapse of the Iranian regime. All of this is happening amid the threat of direct military action from Washington.

The choice of Oman as the venue was not accidental. Muscat has historically served as a discreet and reliable mediator, allowing Tehran to explore possibilities for understanding without exposing itself to further pressure. Unlike Turkey or Qatar, Oman does not host US military bases, which has made it acceptable to the Iranian regime.

For Tehran, having a controllable diplomatic channel has helped reduce risks, avoid political problems, and maintain its independence amid military pressure and sanctions. Discretion and the fact that the mediator is the same have been key to Tehran's participation in the talks. The discussion on the nuclear program serves, in principle, to define common ground, but it has not guaranteed substantive results. The talks can advance in limited steps, stall in the face of new tensions, or even collapse. Meanwhile, the military threat remains a constant backdrop that dictates the pace and nature of diplomacy. The success of these negotiations depends as much on the willingness of the parties to compromise as on the ability of the mediators to sustain a process that has kept Washington and Tehran on the brink of both confrontation and negotiation simultaneously. For now, the framework established in Oman is an initial step on a path fraught with uncertainty, where any progress is measured cautiously and every word carries decisive weight.