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The ongoing nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States have taken an unexpected turn, with recent developments in Muscat, Oman shedding light on the potential for a breakthrough. In a statement on April 12, the White House described the talks as very positive and constructive. “As the first meeting, it was a constructive meeting held in a very peaceful and respectful environment, because no inappropriate language was used,” Iran’s lead negotiator, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, said.
Although Rome was initially suggested as a possible setting, the second round of talks now is expected to take place in Oman on Saturday. US envoy Steve Witkoff said that moving forward, talks with Iran would be about verification of its nuclear program, stopping short of calling for Tehran to dismantle it altogether. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu put a different gloss on the goal, saying, “We agree that Iran must not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. This can be achieved through an agreement—but only if it is a Libya-style agreement; one where the facilities are entered, dismantled, and destroyed under American supervision and execution— that’s good.”
And by Tuesday morning, Witkoff apparently had reversed his earlier statement, the president’s position was to eliminate Iran’s ability to enrich uranium.
Washington and Tehran will face many challenges in reaching an agreement, including pressure from warmongers in Washington, Tel Aviv, and Tehran and proposals of unrealistic ideas such as Netanyahu’s suggestion of a “Libya-style” dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program. But despite the multiple challenges negotiators face, at the heart of these discussions are five key points of convergence between Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and US President Donald Trump, both of whom have indicated an interest in de-escalating tensions and avoiding war.
And by Tuesday morning, Witkoff apparently had reversed his earlier statement, the president’s position was to eliminate Iran’s ability to enrich uranium.
Washington and Tehran will face many challenges in reaching an agreement, including pressure from warmongers in Washington, Tel Aviv, and Tehran and proposals of unrealistic ideas such as Netanyahu’s suggestion of a “Libya-style” dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program. But despite the multiple challenges negotiators face, at the heart of these discussions are five key points of convergence between Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and US President Donald Trump, both of whom have indicated an interest in de-escalating tensions and avoiding war.
Go deeper HERE and read the full article on The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientist
