Negotiations have been scheduled for a second round, but there is concern in Jerusalem that its key regional foe will be allowed to carry on enriching uranium
April 15, 2025 11:36
Iran is expected to hold firm and rule out a total dismantling of its nuclear programme, despite “constructive” talks with the US over the weekend.
Negotiations between the two sides in Oman saw positive noises from both camps, but sparked concern in Jerusalem that its key regional foe will be allowed to continue enriching uranium.
The meeting took place amid heightened tensions following President Trump’s threat to bomb the Islamic Republic if a deal was not in place within two months.
In response, the Iranian Foreign Ministry was reported to be lining up an “interim deal” with limited concessions to avert military confrontation and lay the groundwork for a fuller agreement later on.
However, the latest reports suggest that Tehran is unlikely to allow its nuclear development to be halted entirely – as many in Jerusalem had demanded.
Instead, according to Axios, initial proposals would see Iran continue developing nuclear capability but only for power generation, with a clear roadmap away from any weaponisation.
This would reportedly be achieved by, among other measures, diluting its stock of 60 per cent enriched uranium – which is currently sufficient to build six nuclear bombs – in return for the loosening of global sanctions.
Enrichment limits have been imposed before, most notably under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPA) agreed by the Obama administration, but they were shattered several years ago. Enforcement is also difficult given Iran’s continuous refusal to allow UN nuclear inspectors unrestricted access to its facilities – another key point of contention.
Talks have reportedly been scheduled for a second round this weekend, with the venue swapped from Oman to Rome at the US’ request.
Washington is also believed to be pushing for a change in the format from indirect to direct negotiations, though Omani mediators will apparently still be present in case these break down.
Axios also reported that US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff received backing for the talks from several Gulf states, while Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, briefed his counterparts in Qatar, Kuwait and Egypt.
However, Israel is said to be sceptical of the negotiations, believing that they are unlikely to yield a deal and, even if one is agreed, it will not sufficiently hinder Tehran’s progress towards developing nuclear weapons.
Witkoff is reported to have briefed Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer on the talks, but it is understood that Jerusalem has been pushing for the Trump administration to “align on a military option” in case the talks fail.
As for the mood in Washington, President Trump is said to be willing to compromise in order to reach a deal quickly, a view reportedly shared by Witkoff, while some members of the administration – including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz – favour a more hardline approach, backed by military force.
Yet trust remains low on both sides of the negotiating table, especially thanks to Iran’s repeated violations of the 2015 agreement and Trump’s subsequent decision to withdraw the US from the agreement and impose harsh sanctions.