Nournews: These expert-level talks, beginning Saturday, April 26, may seem like progress in a complex diplomatic process. However, they also clearly show that both sides are stepping into areas of deep disagreement and strategic red lines. This third consecutive Saturday of intense discussions, now involving senior technical officials, shows the talks are becoming more serious. The presence of figures like Takht-Ravanchi, Gharibabadi, and Michael Anton signals that both sides are ready to move from general discussions to detailed technical matters—details that may well become the main source of future tensions.
Technically, these talks are very important. But politically, they also carry significant weight. Issues such as the level of uranium enrichment, inspection mechanisms, the role of the IAEA, and fuel supply from abroad—along with the guaranteed and effective lifting of all sanctions—are not just technical matters. They are closely linked to core political concerns. Especially now that Marco Rubio has openly stated that the U.S. will only accept Iran’s peaceful nuclear program if enrichment inside Iran stops, it’s likely the technical dialogue will quickly turn into political confrontation.
For Iran, continuing enrichment is not just an option—it is a firm national principle. The legal and technical structure of its nuclear program is based on this. Past experiences with suspensions have only reinforced this stance. So, the U.S. demand to end enrichment is not only unrealistic, it could lead the talks to another deadlock. This is particularly dangerous as the American technical team still faces internal contradictions. According to The Washington Post, even during early planning meetings, team members expressed confusion over mixed messages from U.S. officials on enrichment.
While technical meetings can help build trust, without a clear political framework and mutual respect for each other’s core principles, the risk of confrontation is very real. The International Atomic Energy Agency, which plans to send a delegation to Tehran, can play a helpful role as a technical mediator. But its efforts will only be effective if they go beyond political pressures and stick to legal and professional standards.
This third diplomatic Saturday in Muscat may require more strategic wisdom, honesty, and avoidance of double games than ever before. Such games have derailed past talks many times. Reaching an agreement this time will depend not only on political dialogue but also on technical consensus in the face of carefully planned tensions.
NOURNEWS