The situation surrounding Iran's nuclear program remains extremely tense following conflicting signals from Washington and Muscat. While Oman's Foreign Minister announced a historic breakthrough involving Tehran's agreement to completely cease stockpiling enriched uranium, President Donald Trump expressed deep dissatisfaction with the progress made so far. The American leader did not rule out the use of military force, claiming that diplomacy conducted for decades has not yielded the expected results, and Iran remains a mortal threat.

Oman Announces Diplomatic Breakthrough

The mediator claims Iran agreed not to stockpile enriched uranium, which would permanently prevent the production of an atomic bomb.

Donald Trump's Skepticism and Threats

The US President rejected the mediators' optimism, declaring dissatisfaction with the talks and reminding of the possibility of using military force.

Forecasted Rise in Oil Prices

The market reacts to uncertainty; Barclays experts predict the price of a barrel of Brent crude could rise to $80 in case of conflict escalation.

The Issue of Uranium Enrichment

Washington demands a complete ban on enrichment, while Tehran insists on the right to nuclear technology.

The diplomatic deadlock regarding Iran's nuclear program has entered a new, unpredictable phase. Oman's Foreign Minister, acting as the main mediator between Washington and Tehran, announced to the public information about an alleged breakthrough. According to Omani diplomacy, Iranian authorities reportedly agreed to a fundamental concession: renouncing possession of stockpiles of enriched uranium and definitively halting work on materials that could be used to build nuclear weapons. Mediators from Muscat assess that lasting peace is now „within reach,” which would give hope for stabilization in the Middle East region. This optimism was immediately dampened by US President Donald Trump. The American leader declared during a public appearance that he is not satisfied with the course of the talks and the stance of the Iranian regime. Trump emphasized that Iran cannot conduct any enrichment process of fissile materials at all, and merely renouncing their storage is an insufficient proposal. The president suggested that years of negotiations conducted since the Islamic Revolution in 1979 have not produced the desired effects. In his assessment, the Iranians are „very dangerous,” and the option of armed intervention remains on the table as a full-fledged instrument of US foreign policy in the absence of a full dismantlement of nuclear infrastructure. Iran's nuclear program has been the subject of international dispute since 2002, when the existence of secret facilities in Natanz was revealed. Since then, the international community, led by the USA, has imposed a series of severe economic sanctions on Tehran.The political situation directly impacts global commodity markets. Financial analysts, including experts from Barclays bank, warn of a sharp rise in oil prices. Increased tension on the Washington-Tehran line could drive the price of a barrel of Brent crude even up to $80. Investors fear that a breakdown in talks could lead to a blockade of strategic transport routes in the Persian Gulf. Despite Oman's assurances of an imminent agreement, the divergent narratives of the two powers point more towards a deepening of the crisis than its resolution. An additional complicating factor is Trump's support for the right of neighboring Pakistan to self-defense, which may suggest building a broader alliance against Iranian influence in Central Asia. „I am not happy with the way Iran is negotiating. We have been playing with them for 47 years.” — Donald Trump

Mentioned People

  • Donald Trump — President of the United States, criticizing the course of nuclear negotiations with Iran.