Tue Apr 08 12:21:19 UTC 2025: ## Iran and US to Hold Indirect Nuclear Talks in Oman
**Dubai, April 8, 2025** – Indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear program are set to begin in Oman, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced today. While US President Donald Trump described the talks as “direct,” Araghchi clarified they will be indirect, likely with Omani mediators facilitating communication.
The talks, the first under the Trump administration, aim to address Iran’s enrichment of uranium to 60% purity – nearing weapons-grade levels – and lift sanctions imposed on Iran. Araghchi stated that restoring the rights of the Iranian people and lifting sanctions are Iran’s primary goals.
The announcement follows a letter from President Trump to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, initiating efforts for direct talks. The news spurred a positive reaction in the Iranian economy, with the rial strengthening and the Tehran Stock Exchange experiencing a significant rise. This comes after years of unsuccessful indirect talks under the Biden administration and amid threats of military action from both the US and Israel.
The negotiations occur against a backdrop of ongoing tensions in the Middle East, with President Trump continuing an airstrike campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen. The economic impact of sanctions on Iran has been severe, causing significant hardship for the Iranian people. The 2015 nuclear deal, which lifted sanctions in exchange for limitations on Iran’s nuclear program, saw the rial trade at 32,000 to the dollar, a stark contrast to its current value.
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