Trump: The US and Iran Have Started Direct Nuclear Negotiations; Iran's Reaction

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, announced on Monday, April 6, that the US and Iran have begun direct talks regarding Tehran's nuclear program and that a high-level meeting will be held on Saturday. Hours after these statements, the Iranian Foreign Minister confirmed the 'meeting between Iran and the US on Saturday in Oman' and also spoke of 'high-level indirect talks.' The US President stated that 'the US and Iran have begun direct talks regarding Tehran's nuclear program'; a surprising announcement, as Iranian officials had previously rejected Washington's request for such negotiations. Trump, during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, said: 'We have direct talks with Iran, and these talks have begun. They will continue on Saturday. We have a very important meeting ahead, and we will see what happens.' He added: 'I think everyone agrees that reaching an agreement is a better option.' Trump did not provide further details but reiterated that the Islamic Republic should not have nuclear weapons. The US President emphasized that if the ongoing direct negotiations between the US and Iran do not yield results, Iran will be in 'great danger.' Trump stated: 'I think if these negotiations with Iran are not successful, Iran will be in great danger. Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons, and if the negotiations do not succeed, I truly believe it will be a very bad day for Iran.' Hours after Trump's remarks, the Iranian Foreign Minister announced that a high-level meeting would be held in Oman on Saturday, while also referring to 'indirect talks' between the two countries. Abbas Araghchi wrote on the social media platform X on Tuesday morning, April 7: 'Iran and the United States will meet on Saturday in Oman for high-level indirect talks.' He stated that 'this is both an opportunity and, at the same time, a test,' reiterating that 'the ball is in America's court.' In recent days, Islamic Republic officials have repeatedly rejected any direct negotiations, emphasizing only indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington. In recent weeks, the US President warned Tehran that it would be better to enter negotiations with Washington to reach a new agreement regarding its nuclear program; otherwise, it would face secondary sanctions and 'would be bombed.' He had stated last December that he sent a letter to Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, proposing talks. Iranian officials at that time announced that Tehran would not enter negotiations under pressure and threats. Trump also mentioned that he had a 'great' conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu about Iran and trade during their meeting at the White House on Monday. In recent days, reports have surfaced regarding disagreements among senior White House officials about how to deal with Iran. Some Israeli media outlets reported ahead of the meeting between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu that they would discuss 'the option of attacking Iran's nuclear facilities or returning to negotiations'; simultaneously, signs of increased US military readiness amid rising tensions with the Islamic Republic were evident with the deployment of two aircraft carriers to the region. In this context, Tucker Carlson, a well-known Trump-supporting journalist and political analyst, wrote on X on Monday that 'regardless of what you think about tariffs, it is clear that now is the worst possible time for the United States to engage in a military attack against Iran. We cannot bear it. Thousands of Americans will be killed. We will lose the war that follows. Nothing could be more devastating for our country.' This controversial American host and journalist added: 'However, we are now closer to this [scenario] than ever, due to the relentless pressure from neocons. This is suicide. Anyone who supports conflict with Iran is not a friend of the United States but its enemy.' Meanwhile, Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, expressed concerns about the nature of Iran's nuclear program during his visit to Egypt on Monday. He warned that the unresolved issue could lead to further instability in the region. According to Arab media reports, Macron emphasized that France and Egypt are seeking a diplomatic solution to the Islamic Republic's nuclear crisis. He also stated that Paris, along with its allies, is working to severely limit Iran's nuclear program while also addressing regional interventions and Tehran's missile program. On the other hand, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that Russia, China, and Iran will hold consultations in Moscow on Tuesday, April 7, at the expert level regarding Iran's nuclear program. The Kremlin announced on Monday its readiness to reduce tensions between Tehran and Washington, and the Iranian President reiterated that the Islamic Republic does not seek war or nuclear bombs and is looking for negotiations, but not 'with humiliation.' Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, stated that they are in constant consultation with their Iranian partners, including on the nuclear agreement issue. Ismail Baqaei, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stated early Monday at the first press conference of the new year regarding the start of negotiations with the US that Iran is awaiting a response from Washington to the Islamic Republic's 'generous and responsible' proposal for indirect negotiations. He described news regarding the presence of certain figures in the negotiations as 'media speculation.' Meanwhile, Reuters reported on April 6, citing a 'senior Iranian official' who wished to remain anonymous, that the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic has put the armed forces on alert. According to this report, the Islamic Republic has also warned countries hosting US military bases, including Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, and Bahrain, that any support for a potential US attack, including the use of their airspace or territory, will be considered a hostile act and will have 'severe consequences.' The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson responded to this report by stating that 'a country's military readiness to defend its sovereignty is a natural matter... and there is no need to refer to an informed source.' Regarding Reuters' report about the Islamic Republic's warning to regional countries, he stated: 'We use every opportunity to draw our neighbors' attention to the consequences of provocations by third parties, and we believe that fire has a contagious nature.' The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson also mentioned that Tehran has communicated its concerns and expectations to Rafael Grossi, the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and that there has been a principled agreement for his visit to Iran; the final timing of the visit will be announced after consultations are completed. Masoud Pezeshkian, the Iranian President, also stated on Monday during a meeting with party representatives that 'we believe in negotiations, but not with humiliation.' He added that 'we will not submit to humiliation and will not negotiate at any price. We are not seeking war, unrest, and nuclear bombs; how else can we assure the world? We are looking for negotiations, but they must also prove that they are seeking negotiations.' The Iranian President's remarks come as the International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly mentioned the Islamic Republic's insufficient cooperation regarding the status of its suspicious nuclear sites, and Rafael Grossi has at times pointed out that Iran's cooperation 'is not up to expectations.' Donald Trump, during his presidency (2017 to 2021), withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers; an agreement that imposed severe restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. After withdrawing from the agreement, the Trump administration reimposed extensive sanctions on Iran. Since then, Iran has violated the agreement's restrictions and significantly increased its uranium enrichment levels. Western powers accuse Iran of seeking the capability to build nuclear weapons through high-purity uranium enrichment; an action they believe exceeds the needs of a peaceful nuclear program. In contrast, Tehran has always emphasized that its nuclear program is solely for non-military purposes and energy production.