Iran, US Set for Talks in Oman Over Nuclear Tensions

Iran and the United States are set to engage in talks in Oman regarding Tehran’s advancing nuclear program, with President Trump advocating for direct negotiations while Iran prefers indirect discussions through a mediator. Analysts suggest that Iran feels compelled to engage with the U.S. as it seeks a new nuclear deal, contingent on perceived goodwill from Washington. The backdrop of these negotiations includes the U.S. withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018, which has heightened mistrust and geopolitical tensions. Iranian leadership has also placed its armed forces on high alert amid threats of military action from the U.S. and Israel, though Iran remains open to indirect dialogue as a means of avoiding conflict. Meanwhile, Reza Pahlavi, the son of the former Shah, proposed U.S. support for Iranian dissidents as an alternative strategy to military action or conventional diplomacy. This multifaceted situation underscores the complexities of U.S.-Iran relations amidst ongoing regional tensions.