Trump signals readiness for Iran nuclear talks via Omani channel – Iraqi media
US President-elect Donald Trump has sent a message to Tehran through Omani intermediaries expressing readiness to negotiate a new nuclear deal if re-elected, an Iranian official with direct knowledge of the matter told Iraqi newspaper Baghdad Alyoum on December 22.
The diplomatic outreach, delivered in recent days, indicated Trump's willingness to pursue high-level direct talks with Iran early in a potential second term. However, any new agreement would differ from the 2015 nuclear deal he abandoned, the sources said.
"Iran received a message from the elected US administration through Oman, which is one of the important channels in exchanging messages between Tehran and Washington," the source was quoted as saying.
The Omani channel has historically served as a back channel for sensitive US-Iran communications. Trump withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018, reimposing sanctions on Tehran.
According to the source, Trump will wait "no more than a few months" for Iranian officials to respond regarding their readiness to negotiate on several issues, primarily the nuclear file.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's administration is weighing its response as the country deals with economic and environmental challenges, including a roughly 300% currency depreciation over eight years and multiple days of shutdowns over its ongoing energy crisis, an economist said, speaking with IntelliNews on December 22.
Iran's currency, the rial, tumbled to its lowest-ever value against the dollar recently, hitting a low of IRR770,000 against the dollar.
Trump has set a timeline of several months for Iran to indicate willingness to negotiate on issues including its nuclear programme, according to the sources. However, they noted that US commitment to any new agreement would not be guaranteed.
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Iranian and US governments do not have formal diplomatic relations.
Analysts say any renewed negotiations would face significant obstacles given the history of mistrust between the nations and regional tensions.
The Iraqi newspaper report comes as the New York Times previously photographed billionaire Elon Musk reportedly leaving a meeting with Iran's diplomats in the UN.
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