Trump Expresses Optimism as U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks Resume in Muscat

Top U.S. and Iranian negotiators will meet again Saturday in Muscat to advance nuclear deal talks, with U.S. President Donald Trump expressing confidence in securing a new pact. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will negotiate indirectly through Omani mediators, following a positive second round of discussions in Rome.

Expert-level meetings will first establish a framework for a potential agreement. Trump told Time magazine, "I think we’re going to make a deal with Iran," but reiterated that military action remains an option if diplomacy fails. Despite mutual interest in diplomacy, major differences persist after decades of disputes.

Trump reinstated a "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran in 2018, withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear agreement and reimposing severe sanctions. Since 2019, Iran has accelerated uranium enrichment to 60% purity, approaching weapons-grade levels, according to the U.N. nuclear watchdog.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that any new deal must require Iran to halt enrichment entirely and import uranium for its Bushehr nuclear plant. Iranian officials signal willingness to accept some curbs in exchange for sanctions relief but view ending enrichment or surrendering uranium stockpiles as non-negotiable red lines.

European diplomats have proposed including restrictions on Iran’s missile program and preventing nuclear warhead development. However, Tehran firmly rejects negotiations over its missile capabilities, calling them a key obstacle in reaching a broader agreement.