An Iranian official expressed skepticism about the United States' intentions in recent indirect nuclear talks, accusing Washington of orchestrating a "trap" to escalate tensions, CNN reported on Saturday. Speaking anonymously, the official claimed the US approach lacked genuineness, suggesting the talks were a political and media ploy rather than a sincere effort to address Tehran's nuclear program and lift sanctions.
The official criticized the irregular pacing of the talks, marked by interruptions and weekly gaps, which Iran opposed. This has led Tehran to view the negotiations as a game and prepare for their potential collapse. The comments follow a warning from US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who told CNN on Friday that if Sunday's talks in Oman prove unproductive, they will not continue, signaling a shift to alternative measures.
A US official countered on Saturday, emphasizing President Donald Trump's commitment to securing a deal with Iran. "The United States will ensure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon, but also wishes for lasting peace in the Middle East, a new relationship with Iran, and for the Iranian people to reach their nation's full potential," the official told CNN. This assurance underscores Washington's dual aim of preventing nuclear proliferation while fostering regional stability.
Sunday's talks in Oman are expected to involve only high-level officials, focusing on a broad framework rather than technical details like sanctions relief, according to CNN. The absence of the technical team suggests a more strategic discussion, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi set to meet Witkoff. Araghchi noted on Saturday that Tehran has received "contradictory messages" from the US, with differing views among American negotiators complicating the process, CNN reported.
The Iranian official further accused the US of being unprepared for substantive discussions, offering vague responses, ignoring key proposals, and frequently shifting positions. This has led Tehran to doubt the talks will deliver meaningful sanctions relief or economic benefits, prompting preparations for alternative political and economic scenarios over the past month, the official told CNN.
Witkoff, in a Friday interview with Breitbart, outlined the US position in detail, insisting that Iran's uranium enrichment program must be completely dismantled. "An enrichment program can never exist in the state of Iran ever again. That's our red line. No enrichment. That means dismantlement, it means no weaponization, and it means that Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan – those are their three enrichment facilities – have to be dismantled," he said. Iran, however, considers uranium enrichment on its soil a nonnegotiable right, a stance the Iranian official reiterated to CNN on Saturday, noting the US is fully aware of this position.
Tehran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is for energy purposes, not weapons development. Witkoff clarified to Breitbart that the current talks focus solely on the nuclear issue, unlike the broader regional concerns addressed during Trump's first term. As both sides approach Sunday's talks, the gap in their positions – particularly on enrichment – remains a significant hurdle, with Tehran bracing for a potential breakdown in negotiations, CNN reported.
