Nuclear talks between the United States and Iran, which began in Oman on Saturday, have raised questions about the risk of Tehran’s exploiting the diplomatic track to gain time and legitimacy for its nuclear program. The first round of indirect talks between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, mediated by Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, concluded in Oman after a little more than two-and-a-half hours, according to international media reports. The next round of talks is scheduled to be held in Oman on April 19.
According to an April 12 Wall Street Journal report, Iran’s demands include rapid sanctions relief, access to billions in frozen assets, and an end to U.S. pressure on Chinese oil buyers. In return, Iran might offer to limit uranium enrichment to 3.67% but is unlikely to reverse existing nuclear progress.
Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman, vice president of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, told JNS in recent days that in his assessment, “at least in Trump’s mind and in [special United States Middle Envoy Steve] Witkoff’s mandate, it is clear that the move [negotiations] must block Iran’s path to nuclear weapons so that the North Korean nightmare is not repeated.” An Iranian nuclear breakout would collapse the regional and global order and the Non-Proliferation Treaty, warned Lerman, adding that preventing this from happening must occur “within a limited time.” (Read More)
