Iran is preparing to engage in weekend discussions with the United States regarding its nuclear programme, but officials in Tehran remain highly doubtful about the prospects for meaningful progress. Speaking to Reuters on Tuesday, Iranian sources expressed lingering skepticism and mistrust over Washington’s motives.
The announcement of the talks came Monday from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has ramped up his rhetoric against Iran since returning to office in January, even threatening military action if Tehran does not agree to new terms. Despite Trump’s claim that the meeting in Oman on Saturday would be a direct dialogue, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reiterated that Tehran insists on an indirect format due to what he described as continued U.S. coercion and hostility.
“Genuine dialogue can only emerge through indirect engagement, under current circumstances,” Araqchi told the state-run IRNA news agency.
Araqchi will head Iran’s delegation, while Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, is slated to lead the American side, with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi mediating between the two. A U.S. source familiar with the planning confirmed Witkoff’s role and added that the discussions would take a broader political tone rather than focusing on technical nuclear details.
“These plans are still taking shape,” the source said, suggesting that specifics remain fluid.
Tehran, according to both Iranian and regional insiders, is unlikely to engage directly with U.S. officials unless Washington demonstrates goodwill—such as easing sanctions or releasing frozen Iranian assets. “The Iranians have indicated that direct engagement could happen, but only if there's a concrete gesture from the U.S. side,” a regional diplomat explained.
Meanwhile, Russia voiced support for either direct or indirect negotiations, viewing them as a potential path toward lowering regional tensions. “We are aware that some form of dialogue is being arranged in Oman,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday.
In a move signaling closer alignment between Moscow and Tehran, Russia’s lower house of parliament also approved a 20-year strategic agreement with Iran—solidifying growing military cooperation.
Diplomatic attempts to resolve the longstanding standoff over Iran’s nuclear ambitions—claimed by Tehran to be strictly peaceful—have stretched on for over two decades, with little lasting success. Many Western nations remain convinced that Iran’s programme could lead to nuclear weapons development.
In 2017, during his previous term, Trump pulled the U.S. out of the landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six major powers, prompting negotiations to stall ever since.
Rising Regional Instability
Heightened unrest across the Middle East has only added to the tension. Since 2023, the region has been shaken by wars in Gaza and Lebanon, conflict in Yemen, military confrontations between Iran and Israel, and a leadership change in Syria. Trump’s renewed threats of force have sent shockwaves through the region, particularly among oil-producing states wary of further instability.