WORLD NEWS
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi signaled cautious optimism over renewed talks with the United States on Saturday, while reiterating Tehran’s red lines on its missile program and nuclear enrichment.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Araghchi said the indirect negotiations in Oman offered “an opportunity to shake hands with the American delegation” and called the discussions “a good start,” though he cautioned that building trust would take time. He added that talks are expected to resume “soon.”
Missile Program and Defense Red Lines
Araghchi stressed that Iran’s missile program is “never negotiable,” framing it as a “defence issue.” He warned that any U.S. attack on Iranian territory would prompt retaliatory strikes on American bases in the region.
“We are ready to reach a reassuring agreement on enrichment,” he said regarding nuclear issues. “The Iranian nuclear case will only be resolved through negotiations.” Araghchi emphasized that nuclear enrichment is Iran’s “inalienable right and must continue.”
US Response and Sanctions
Despite expressing optimism about the talks, U.S. President Donald Trump described the negotiations as “very good” but simultaneously signed an executive order imposing tariffs on countries continuing business with Iran. The U.S. also announced sanctions targeting numerous shipping entities and vessels to curb Iranian oil exports.
More than a quarter of Iran’s trade is with China, which accounted for $18 billion in imports and $14.5 billion in exports in 2024, according to World Trade Organization data.
Context of the Talks
Friday’s talks marked the first U.S.-Iran discussions since nuclear negotiations collapsed last year following Israel’s bombing campaign on Iranian targets, which triggered a 12-day conflict. The meetings in Oman were led by Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Araghchi described the discussions as conducted in a “very positive atmosphere,” with both sides exchanging arguments and views and agreeing to continue negotiations. He urged Washington to refrain from threats and pressure to facilitate ongoing dialogue.
Regional Tensions
The talks occur amid heightened U.S. military presence in the region and Iran’s crackdown on domestic protests that began in late December, fueled by economic grievances. Araghchi criticized what he called a “doctrine of domination” that allows Israel to expand its military arsenal while pressuring other states to disarm, though he did not directly reference the Oman talks in his Al Jazeera Forum speech in Qatar.
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