Us Iran Begin Nucearl Talks Begin Oma
AxiosAPR 16
US and Iran Hold Nuclear Talks in Oman
Above: Russian tourists visit the former U.S. embassy in Tehran on April 12, 2025, during Iran-U.S. nuclear talks. Image copyright: Photo by Morteza Nikoubazl/Contributor/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
The successful talks show that President Trump's policy of maximum pressure is working. Through tactful threats, the might of the American economy, and strategic sanctions, the Iranians have been forced to the negotiating table. Tehran will be made to abandon their ambitions of acquiring nuclear weapons.
Pro-Iran narrative
Through these indirect negotiations, Iran is standing up to unwarranted American belligerence. Iran has made it clear that it will not acquiesce to President Trump's policy of "maximum pressure," nor will it lend it the legitimacy it does not warrant with direct talks. If the U.S. wishes to speak face-to-face, it must abandon the hostility and mistrust that clouds its judgment concerning Iran.