Iran and the United States are preparing to conduct discussions in Oman on Saturday with the goal of revitalizing negotiations concerning Iran’s swiftly developing nuclear capabilities. President Donald Trump asserts that these will be direct discussions. However, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi anticipates speaking indirectly through a mediator with U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff. Irrespective of the setup, these talks highlight a pivotal moment in the strained interactions between the two nations over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which are close to reaching weapons-grade uranium levels.
The complex relationship between the U.S. and Iran regarding their nuclear program extends over several decades. Initially, in 1967, Iran acquired the Tehran Research Reactor from the United States under the “Atoms for Peace” initiative. The Islamic Revolution in 1979 dramatically shifted Iran’s trajectory, ceasing nuclear activities due to international pressures. In August 2002, the secret Natanz nuclear facility came to light, raising international concern and leading to Europe initiating negotiations with Iran in 2003. However, tensions continued to rise over uranium enrichment activities, culminating in a major diplomatic agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015.
The nuclear deal, celebrated as a major diplomatic achievement in 2015, started to unravel by 2018 when President Trump withdrew from the accord, labeling it flawed. This move strained relations further, leading to Iran retreating from its commitments and instigating regional incidents blamed on Tehran. The escalating situation included significant military actions such as the infamous January 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed General Qassem Soleimani, provoking Iran to retaliate against U.S. forces in Iraq.
Amid this heightened conflict, mysterious attacks struck Iran’s nuclear facilities in unprecedented acts, believed to be conducted by certain foreign states like Israel. Throughout early 2021, new rounds of negotiations attempted to revive the nuclear deal, yet they stalled without reaching a resolution. During these talks, Iran progressed with enriching uranium to the highest purity levels ever, edging closer to weaponization abilities, as confirmed by Iranian officials who admitted to possessing technical know-how for creating nuclear explosives.
Wider regional conflicts exacerbated the already volatile situation. The eruption of conflict between Hamas and Israel in 2023, compounded by Iranian backing of various militant groups, further fueled hostility. By 2024, this animosity led to direct confrontations between Iran and Israel, with military engagements extending across Middle Eastern lands. This cycle of violence persisted with devastating consequences for all involved, marking a perilous era of escalating warfare.
In an unexpected twist to ongoing tensions, former President Trump reclaimed the presidency in 2025, expressing interest in reengaging with Iran. Though initially dismissive, Iran’s leadership, under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, appeared poised to enter into engagements facilitated through intermediaries in Oman. Despite initial skepticism, planned talks between the two nations might offer pathways to alleviating one of the world’s most challenging geopolitical dilemmas.