Politics Iran's foreign minister to negotiate with USA over nuclear dispute
In the dispute over Iran's nuclear program, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is to negotiate with the USA on behalf of the government next Saturday.
08.04.2025, 10:42
SDA
The Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that the minister will hold indirect talks with US special envoy Steve Witkoff in the Gulf state of Oman. The Foreign Ministry in Tehran confirmed the report.
US President Donald Trump announced a new round of nuclear talks on Monday. After months of political and military tensions, the dispute over Iran's nuclear program is thus gaining new momentum for the first time. Iran has so far rejected direct negotiations. Instead, Tehran wants mediators to convey messages between the two sides.
During his first term in office, US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the Vienna nuclear pact in 2018, which was intended to restrict Iran's nuclear program and lift sanctions in return. Tehran then no longer complied with the conditions of the agreement. Israel's government repeatedly threatened to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities. This is due to fears that the Islamic Republic could be seeking nuclear weapons.
Iranian leadership in a dilemma
Iran's leadership is facing a dilemma. For ideological reasons, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei strictly rejects negotiations with the USA, which has been considered an arch-enemy since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. At the same time, the country is in the midst of a severe financial crisis. The tough international sanctions have paralyzed the economy and eroded the middle class. The Iranian currency, the rial, is losing value on a weekly basis and is at a record low.
