US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will engage in direct talks with Iran on Saturday, marking a potential turning point in efforts to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The announcement comes amid renewed tensions and follows previous threats of military action by Trump should diplomacy fail.
Speaking from the White House after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said the discussions would be at a “very high level” and suggested a deal could be within reach. “We have a very big meeting on Saturday [with Iran], and we’re dealing with them directly… And maybe a deal is going to be made, that would be great,” he said. However, he issued a stern warning: “If the talks aren’t successful, it’ll be a very bad day for Iran.”
Iran’s foreign minister has also confirmed the upcoming talks, which will be held in Oman on April 12. However, he described them as “indirect,” reflecting the complex diplomatic relationship between the two nations. Abbas Araqchi posted on X: “It is as much an opportunity as it is a test. The ball is in America’s court.”
The renewed diplomatic engagement follows years of escalating nuclear tensions. The 2015 nuclear deal brokered under President Barack Obama offered Iran relief from sanctions in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program and international inspections. That deal was backed by several world powers, including the UK, China, and Russia.
However, Trump withdrew the US from the agreement in 2018, criticizing it as ineffective. Since then, Iran has gradually ramped up its nuclear activities, accumulating enriched uranium far beyond the limits set in the accord.
Trump’s outreach to Iran reportedly included a letter sent via a UAE intermediary earlier this year, expressing willingness to negotiate. While initially rejected, Iran has shown openness to renewed dialogue through a third party.
Israel remains a key player in the talks, with Netanyahu emphasizing the shared US-Israel goal of preventing Iran from going nuclear. “If it can be done diplomatically in a full way, the way it was done in Libya, I think that would be a good thing,” Netanyahu said.
As Saturday approaches, global attention will be on Oman, where diplomacy may again be tested in one of the world’s most enduring geopolitical standoffs.
