Trump confirms direct talks with Iran as high-stakes meeting set for April 12
New Delhi, April 08: US President Donald Trump has confirmed that direct talks with Iran over its nuclear programme will take place on Saturday, April 12, in Oman. According to reports by the BBC and Al Jazeera, the announcement marks a significant shift after months of escalating tensions and diplomatic deadlock between the two countries.
Speaking from the White House alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump described the planned talks as a “very big meeting,” adding, “Maybe a deal is going to be made—that would be great.” He warned, however, that if negotiations failed, “it would be a very bad day for Iran.”
The development was also confirmed by Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who said on X (formerly Twitter), “It is as much an opportunity as it is a test. The ball is in America’s court.” Araghchi’s statement reflects a cautious openness to dialogue, though he previously described the idea of direct negotiations as “meaningless.”
The talks come against the backdrop of longstanding US concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Washington and its allies have accused Tehran of stockpiling enriched uranium beyond the limits set by the 2015 nuclear deal, which Trump unilaterally withdrew from in 2018. That agreement had been brokered under President Barack Obama and signed by the UK, France, Germany, Russia, and China.
As BBC notes, the upcoming discussions signal a potential diplomatic breakthrough, despite Trump's previously hawkish stance. Just last month, Trump warned that Iran would face military action if no agreement was reached, even sending a letter via the UAE to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to express his willingness to negotiate. That offer was initially rejected, though indirect diplomatic channels remained open.
Al Jazeera reported that Trump’s move may not sit well with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has consistently pushed for military action against Iran. Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst, said, “Trump has wanted a deal for a long time. But Netanyahu certainly thinks Iran’s defences have been weakened by Israeli strikes last year and sees this as a chance to finish off Iran—with US support.”
Trump, however, appears more inclined toward diplomacy over conflict. “Everybody agrees that doing a deal would be preferable,” he said. Still, he reiterated his red line: “Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. If talks fail, they’ll be in great danger.”
As both sides prepare for what could be a pivotal moment in US-Iran relations, analysts remain divided on the likelihood of success. While the talks offer a potential path to de-escalation, the underlying mistrust and geopolitical stakes make any agreement far from certain.
