Iran Insists on Indirect Negotiations; White House Says Talks in Oman Will Be 'Direct'

On Tuesday, April 19, the White House spokesperson stated that the upcoming talks between the U.S. and Iran, scheduled for Saturday in Oman, will be conducted 'directly,' rejecting Iran's claim that these negotiations would be indirect. Caroline Levitt told reporters, 'These talks will be held directly on Saturday.' She added that there are no further details to provide. However, Levitt noted, 'Regarding Iran, the President has reimposed crippling sanctions on the Iranian regime and has clearly told Iran that they must make a choice. You can agree with the President, you can negotiate, or else you will pay a heavy price.' The U.S. President's statements on Monday, April 18, announcing the start of direct nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, were described as 'surprising' and elicited reactions. Donald Trump announced during a meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister at the White House that Iran and the U.S. have begun direct nuclear talks, with a high-level meeting scheduled for Saturday. He stated, 'We will see what happens in these talks,' adding, 'I think everyone agrees that reaching an agreement is a better option.' Hours after these remarks, Iran's Foreign Minister announced that a high-level meeting would take place in Oman on Saturday while also referring to 'indirect talks' between the two countries. Abbas Araghchi wrote on social media X early Tuesday, April 19, 'Iran and the United States will meet on Saturday [April 23] in Oman for high-level indirect talks.' He later stated in remarks reported by the IRNA news agency that the purpose of the Oman negotiations is 'to uphold the rights of the Iranian people' and 'to lift sanctions.' The Iranian Foreign Minister also shifted the responsibility to the U.S., stating, 'If the American side comes to Oman with genuine will, we will definitely reach a result.' Araghchi emphasized that Iran has 'no plan' to convert the negotiations into 'direct' ones, citing the need to prevent 'pressure, threats, and dictation' from the United States, adding, 'We do not believe in this method. Indirect negotiations can guarantee a real and effective dialogue. We will proceed in this manner.' However, hours later, during his visit to Algeria, he stated in an interview with Iranian state television that the form of the negotiations 'does not matter,' but rather 'its effectiveness is what matters.' In recent days, Islamic Republic officials have repeatedly rejected any direct negotiations, insisting only on conducting indirect talks between Tehran and Washington. Iran's agreement to negotiate with the Trump administration comes despite Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, stating on February 8 last year that negotiating with the Trump administration 'is not wise, not intelligent, and not honorable.' He had also emphasized in a speech on August 13, 2018, during Trump's first term that 'negotiating with the U.S. was prohibited by the Imam, and I have also prohibited it. Even if, hypothetically, the Islamic Republic were to negotiate with the U.S. government, it would never negotiate with the Trump administration.' Araghchi and Witkoff, the heads of the Iranian and American delegations, respectively, were reported by some Iranian state media, including the Tasnim news agency close to the Revolutionary Guards, to be holding 'indirect talks' on Saturday in Muscat, the capital of Oman. According to Tasnim, the Iranian delegation will be led by Abbas Araghchi and the American delegation by Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump's special representative for Middle Eastern affairs. Axios also reported that Araghchi and Witkoff would be present at these talks. Trump has threatened military action against Iran, but Axios noted that he is more aligned with the moderate faction that prefers a diplomatic solution. Axios reported on Tuesday, April 19, that 'according to a source familiar with their views, Steve Witkoff and Vice President JD Vance also believe that reaching an agreement with Iran is possible and desirable.' Witkoff stated in an interview with Tucker Carlson, a well-known Trump-supporting journalist who is strongly opposed to war with Iran, that there is a 'real possibility' of achieving a 'verification program' to ensure that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons. However, Axios noted that hardliners like National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are more supportive of military action and view the likelihood of reaching an agreement with skepticism. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced on Tuesday that if Iran does not reach an agreement with President Trump regarding its nuclear program, Tehran should expect harsher sanctions. Wright stated in an interview with CNBC, 'I certainly expect very tough sanctions to be imposed on Iran, which we hope will compel them to abandon their nuclear program.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Monday after meeting with the U.S. President that 'Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons.' According to the Jerusalem Post, Netanyahu added that achieving this goal could occur through either an agreement or military action. He emphasized that an agreement would only be acceptable if it resembled the Libyan model: 'We go in, blow up the facilities, dismantle all the equipment, under the supervision and enforcement of the U.S. This is the ideal scenario.' He continued, 'The second option, which we do not want, is that Iran prolongs the negotiations, and in that case, the military option will be the only remaining path.' Axios also recalled that the Israeli Prime Minister considers the chances of success for the upcoming talks to be 'very slim,' and discussions at the White House have also revolved around what constitutes a 'good agreement.' A senior Israeli official told Axios, 'Netanyahu wants the Libyan model; the complete dismantling of Iran's nuclear program.' However, some Israeli media, including the Times of Israel, described Netanyahu's trip to Washington as unsuccessful, at least regarding the cancellation of U.S. tariffs on goods from that country. Other Israeli media, such as Yedioth Ahronoth, reported that Trump intended to privately update Netanyahu on the high-level U.S.-Iran negotiations. The U.S. and Israel have consistently emphasized that they will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. In the past two and a half months, Trump has repeatedly stated that Tehran must choose between military action or negotiating to reach a new nuclear agreement, expressing hope for a deal. Iran claims it is not seeking to produce nuclear weapons; however, the International Atomic Energy Agency has warned that Tehran has significantly increased uranium enrichment to 60 percent and accelerated the accumulation of enriched uranium reserves. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, China called on the United States to show 'political sincerity' in the nuclear negotiations with Iran. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated, 'The United States, as a country that unilaterally withdrew from the comprehensive agreement regarding Iran's nuclear issue and created the current situation, must show political sincerity (and) mutual respect.' According to AFP, he added that Washington should 'engage in dialogue and consultation while also abandoning its erroneous practice of using force to impose severe pressure.' The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that China 'will continue to communicate with all parties, actively promote peace and dialogue, and strive to achieve a diplomatic solution.' Following the announcement of negotiations between Iran and the U.S., the prices of foreign currencies in Iran decreased, with the price of one U.S. dollar dropping below 100,000 tomans. Currency and gold price websites reported on Tuesday afternoon that the price of the U.S. dollar was 99,500 tomans. The price of gold coins was reported to be around 90 million tomans. In recent days, the prices of foreign currencies and gold in Iran had significantly increased amid rising tensions in relations between Iran and the U.S., with the price of one U.S. dollar reaching as high as 106,000 tomans.