US & Iran begin nuclear talks days after Donald Trump threatened bombing
In a sudden turn of events, Iran and the United States have begun indirect talks in Oman, with Iran confirming the development. This comes just days after US President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Iran if it didn’t agree to a deal on its nuclear program. The talks, which are being conducted in a tense atmosphere, have been described as a significant step towards resolving the long-standing dispute between the two nations.
According to sources, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff are representing their respective sides in the talks. They have been given separate rooms and will exchange messages via an Omani minister, who will act as a mediator.
The news of the talks was confirmed by Iran’s Foreign Ministry, which stated that the negotiations were aimed at finding a solution to the nuclear issue. The ministry also emphasized that Iran would not compromise on its nuclear program, which it considers to be a sovereign right.
The development comes after a series of provocative statements from Trump, who has been critical of Iran’s nuclear program and its involvement in regional conflicts. In a recent interview, Trump warned Iran that it would face severe consequences if it didn’t agree to a deal on its nuclear program.
“Iran better be careful, because if they do anything that’s provocative, they’re going to be hit with something that’s going to be so strong and so powerful that it’s going to be devastating,” Trump said.
Iranian officials have been equally defiant, with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stating that the country would not be bullied into submission.
“We will not negotiate under pressure, and we will not compromise on our nuclear program,” Khamenei said.
Despite the tough rhetoric, both sides have been engaged in secret talks for several months, with Oman serving as a facilitator. The Gulf state has been a key player in regional diplomacy, and its officials have been working behind the scenes to bring the two sides together.
The talks are seen as a significant development in the region, as they could potentially lead to a breakthrough in the nuclear dispute. The issue has been a major point of contention between Iran and the West, with the US and other countries accusing Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapons program.
Iran, however, has consistently denied the charge, stating that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. The country has also been a key player in regional conflicts, including the Syrian civil war and the conflict in Yemen.
The timing of the talks is significant, as they come just days after the US and Iran appeared to be on the brink of a military conflict. A US drone strike in January killed a top Iranian military commander, Qassem Soleimani, leading to a series of retaliatory attacks by Iran.
The tensions have been a major concern for regional players, including Oman, which has been working to de-escalate the situation. The country has been a key player in regional diplomacy, and its officials have been working behind the scenes to bring the two sides together.
The talks are also seen as a test of the diplomatic skills of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. Both officials have been critical of each other’s positions, but they will need to find common ground if the talks are to be successful.
The outcome of the talks remains uncertain, but they represent a significant step towards resolving the nuclear dispute. If successful, the talks could potentially lead to a major breakthrough in the region, and a reduction in tensions between the two sides.
