Dario Sabagh
The New Arab, Apr. 7, 2025
“Despite tough rhetoric, both sides will want to engage and reach an agreement. But their positions on key issues remain far apart, making it difficult.”
US President Donald Trump is looking to revive talks with Iran to secure a nuclear deal that would dissuade Tehran from potentially developing nuclear weapons, but the path to negotiations is challenging.
In early May, Trump sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, reportedly through an Emirati diplomat, proposing nuclear talks with demands for Iran to dismantle its nuclear program, halt its support for regional militias, and comply within two months for sanctions relief.
Iran rejected direct negotiations through a letter delivered via Oman. Tensions escalated when Trump said he would bomb Iran if it refused talks, with Iran reportedly summoning a Swiss envoy representing the US in Tehran to issue a warning over Trump’s threat.
Khamenei’s adviser, Ali Larijani, stated that Iran would have no choice but to pursue nuclear weapons if attacked, with France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot warning that military confrontation seemed nearly inevitable if talks failed. …SOURCE