Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Iran “cannot have a nuclear weapon,” just ahead of Saturday’s talks concerning Tehran’s nuclear program. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, “I want Iran to be a great, wonderful, happy country, but they cannot have a nuclear weapon.”
His statement came just hours before his envoy, Steve Witkoff, was set to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oman on Saturday for what is expected to be tough nuclear negotiations.
An Axios news report mentioned that Trump is “prepared to make concessions” in order to reach a deal with Iran over its nuclear program, citing a source from his administration. Trump insists on Iran quickly agreeing to a deal that prevents them from obtaining a nuclear weapon, or else they will face military strikes. However, Tehran does not trust the U.S. president, who withdrew from a previous nuclear agreement during his first term.
Two U.S. officials told Axios that they were unsure of what to expect from the Iranians during the upcoming talks in Oman on Saturday. One of the officials stated, “The key question we want answered by the Iranians is whether they have the political will for serious discussions, so we do not have to resort to the alternative.” The official added, “Trump is ready to make concessions to reach an agreement.”
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghai stated that Tehran “does not make premature judgments. We don’t speculate. We intend to assess the other party’s intentions and resolve them on Saturday. We will think about it and respond accordingly.”
Baghai also noted that “the United States should appreciate the fact that Iran is giving diplomacy a real chance, despite the confrontation noise stirred up by Trump.”
A source familiar with the details told Axios that the talks on Saturday are expected to begin indirectly, but could likely shift to direct negotiations later in the day if the initial meeting is positive.
Additionally, several diplomats have stressed the importance of these talks as an opportunity for both sides to de-escalate tensions in the region. While the U.S. maintains its hardline stance, some officials believe that direct diplomacy, if successful, could pave the way for a broader regional agreement, which may also address other security concerns in the Middle East. The international community remains cautiously optimistic that the upcoming talks in Oman could lead to a breakthrough or at least prevent further escalation in the nuclear dispute.
Another source close to the negotiations indicated that Iran’s leadership is committed to finding a peaceful resolution but remains deeply skeptical of U.S. intentions, particularly after the unilateral withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) by the Trump administration. Despite this, Iranian officials are expected to present new proposals aimed at reinitiating talks on the nuclear deal, signaling a willingness to compromise.