Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi asserts readiness for indirect talks in Oman, but demands a complete renunciation of any ‘military option’ from the US.
Iran has signalled its preparedness to engage in serious nuclear negotiations, provided the United States ceases its military threats, according to Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Speaking ahead of a series of talks set to take place in Oman on Saturday, Araghchi emphasised that Tehran is ready to seal a deal on its nuclear programme – but only if Washington first confirms that any form of military intervention is completely off the table.
Contrary to US President Donald Trump’s recent announcement that the forthcoming discussions would be direct, Araghchi stated that the negotiations would be conducted indirectly. “We are fully prepared to negotiate and finalise an agreement, however, the first condition is that there must be no military solution or threat,” he declared. He further added that Iran would “never accept coercion” in any form, underscoring Tehran’s insistence on a peaceful approach to its nuclear ambitions.
Last month, in a bid to avert further escalation, President Trump sent a letter via the United Arab Emirates to Iran’s Supreme Leader. The letter proposed a deal aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons while also avoiding potential military strikes by the US and its allies, including Israel. Trump, meanwhile, warned that failure to reach an accord would leave Iran in “great danger.”
Araghchi dismissed the US warning as unacceptable, arguing that true diplomatic progress can only be made if the American administration respects Tehran’s right to negotiate without the shadow of military pressure. “Show us respect and we will reciprocate. It is essential that the United States stands firm in its commitment to diplomacy,” he said.
The Iranian official reiterated that while there have been concerns regarding Tehran’s adherence to its peaceful nuclear commitments – concerns amplified by breaches of the 2015 nuclear deal following the US exit in 2018 – Iran continues to insist that its nuclear activities remain entirely non-military in nature.
In a related development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that failure in these talks may force a “military option,” likening it to the approach taken with Libya in 2003. However, senior Iranian officials have categorically rejected this comparison, stating that such a model would never be acceptable for Tehran.
With tensions mounting over nuclear proliferation and the spectre of renewed conflict looming large, Araghchi’s remarks set a clear path: the next chapter of nuclear negotiations in Oman will depend entirely on the United States demonstrating that it is prepared to pursue peaceful diplomatic solutions without resorting to military threats. The ball is now in America’s court.
