U.S. and Iran Hold High-Stakes Nuclear Talks in Oman

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Iran and the United States held several hours of intensive talks in Muscat on Saturday, with discussions focused on Tehran’s rapidly advancing uranium enrichment program.

The meeting marked the third in a recent series of high-level negotiations between U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Witkoff had just met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday before traveling to Oman for the talks.

For the first time, the discussions included technical experts from both sides. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-e Ravanchi and U.S. State Department Policy Director Michael Anton led the technical delegations, reflecting a shift from broader diplomatic frameworks to more detailed nuclear concerns.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who mediated previous sessions in Muscat and Rome, said the two sides “identified a shared aspiration to reach agreement based on mutual respect and enduring commitments.” He added, “Core principles, objectives, and technical concerns were all addressed,” and noted another round of talks is tentatively scheduled for May 3.

Speaking to Iranian state television, Araghchi described the talks as “very serious and work-focused.” He said, “This time, the negotiations were much more serious than in the past, and we gradually entered into deeper and more detailed discussions,” while cautioning, “Differences still exist both on major issues and on the details.”

The negotiations come as President Donald Trump continues to make halting Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions a central pillar of his foreign policy. While the U.S. has expressed openness to Iran maintaining civilian nuclear facilities, it demands an end to uranium enrichment and any pursuit of nuclear arms. Iran insists its program is peaceful but has recently hinted at the possibility of weaponization.

Since Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal—calling it “one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into”—Iran has significantly accelerated its enrichment efforts. Intelligence agencies warn Tehran could produce a nuclear weapon within weeks if it so chooses.

As of March 2025, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported Iran had stockpiled over 100 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity, just below the 90% level required for weapons-grade material. A U.N. watchdog report from the same period warned that, if further enriched, Iran’s stockpile could produce up to six nuclear warheads.

NETANYAHU SAYS ISRAEL WILL ACT ALONE IF NECESSARY TO STOP IRAN’S NUCLEAR PROGRAM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Sunday that Israel is ready to act alone if needed to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Speaking at the JNS International Policy Summit in Jerusalem, he stressed that only the complete dismantling of Tehran’s nuclear program would be acceptable.

“We cannot live with anything short of that,” Netanyahu said. “One way or the other, Iran will not have nuclear weapons.” Citing Libya’s 2003 disarmament as the model, he added, “A bad deal is worse than no deal.”

MILITARY PREPARED IF DIPLOMACY FAILS

If diplomacy fails, the United States, along with Israel, is prepared to proceed with military action against the Iranian nuclear program, as the Pentagon has deployed two carrier strike groups in the region, along with the build-up of fighter jets, bombers, and support aircraft positioned near Iran. The U.S. also deployed additional air defense systems in Israel in the event a war broke out with Iran.

IRAN’S NUCLEAR AMBITIONS CONNECTED TO PROPHECY?

While the West often views Iran’s nuclear program through a secular lens, the spiritual aspect, which plays a central role in driving Iran’s nuclear ambitions, should not be overlooked. Iran is the only country where Twelver Shi’ism is the state religion.

Twelver Shīʿism, the largest branch of Shīʿa Islam, makes up about 85% of Shīʿas. “Twelver” signifies belief in twelve divinely appointed leaders, the Twelve Imams, with the last, Imam al-Mahdi, expected to return as the Mahdi. Twelvers see the Imams as Muhammad’s spiritual and political successors, guiding with justice and interpreting the inner meanings of the Qur’an and Islamic law. They are viewed as infallible (Ismah) and divinely chosen (nass).

The Twelvers believe that the Mahdi is expected to appear in times of extreme chaos, returning alongside Jesus as a messiah to bring peace and establish Islam globally.

Twelver beliefs, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and threats toward Israel and the West have raised concerns. Critics suggest that Iran’s Supreme Leader might incite conflict to hasten the 12th Imam’s arrival. Former Iranian President Ahmadinejad has even called for the Imam’s return at the UN, asserting that the Islamic Revolution’s primary goal is to prepare for his reappearance.

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