US and Iranian officials began their most consequential nuclear talks in a decade on Saturday, with both sides under immense pressure to avert a collapse that could lead to war.
At the centre of the discussions is Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, whose agenda – delivered either directly or via Omani intermediaries – will determine whether Tehran adopts a cooperative or combative stance, analysts say.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi leads a delegation wary of appearing weak amid Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s firm opposition to negotiating under the weight of US sanctions Trump reinstated in February this year.
“What both sides have to agree on first and foremost is the parameters of the talks,” said geopolitical risk analyst Andreas Krieg, an associate professor of defence studies at King’s College London.
“At this point, both sides are not in agreement about what is on the table and what can be negotiated, hence the talks in Oman are very, very important.”
