‘The Ball Is in America’s Court’: Iran Insists Against Trump That Forthcoming Nuclear Talks Will Be ‘Indirect’  

Latest Developments

• Iran Says Talks a ‘Test’ For America: Iranian officials have confirmed that negotiations with the United States over its nuclear program will be held on April 12. However, in contrast to President Donald Trump’s statement during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the talks would be held face to face, the Iranians said the negotiations would be “indirect.” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on X that “Iran and the United States will meet in Oman on Saturday for indirect high-level talks. It is as much an opportunity as it is a test. The Ball is in America’s court.”
• Foreign Minister Rejects ‘Libya-style’ Outcome: Araghchi will lead the Iranian delegation, while the U.S. delegation will be headed by U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff. The negotiations will be held in the Omani capital of Muscat, with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi expected to act as an intermediary, passing messages between the two sides. A day before Trump’s announcement, Araghchi told the Iran-aligned Al-Mayadeen that “the U.S. can only dream” of an outcome that would entail Iran following Libya’s 2003 example whereby it dismantled its WMD program in exchange for sanctions relief.
• Iran-Russia Strategic Partnership Advances: On April 8, Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, ratified the 20-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Russia and Iran. The agreement, which was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian on January 17, would make Russia and Iran strategic partners in “all areas.” Israel’s ambassador in Moscow, Simona Halperin, said in January that the deal “is dangerous for the entire world and particularly for Israel.”

FDD Expert Response

“The regime in Iran is a master of delay and deception. If it does not agree to the full, verified, and permanent dismantlement of its nuclear weapons program as a basis for further talks, negotiators should call it a day and focus on bolstering President Trump’s economic and military threats.” — Andrea Stricker, Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program Deputy Director and Research Fellow

“The United States needs to build and maintain its leverage with Iran if direct talks are to yield meaningful dismantlement of the nuclear program. The United States should continue to impose financial pressure on Iran’s global network of oil and illicit finance while partnering with Israel to degrade Iranian proxies such as Hezbollah and the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Any talks that provide relief to Iran in exchange for time will fail, resulting in an emboldened Islamic Republic.” — Tyler Stapleton, Director of Congressional Relations, FDD Action 

FDD Background and Analysis

“‘Doing a Deal Would Be Preferable’: Trump Reveals Direct Talks Underway With Iran Over Nuclear Program,” FDD Flash Brief

“‘They Are Sitting Inside a Glass Room’: Citing U.S. Threats, Iran Puts Army on High Alert,” FDD Flash Brief

“Tehran’s Diplomatic Gambit Aims to Forestall Pressure While Advancing Nuclear Program,” by Janatan Sayeh and Behnam Ben Taleblu

“‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’: Russia and Iran Set to Sign Pact After Presidential Visit,” FDD Flash Brief