Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun 
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in Tehran on March 31. (©Reuters via Kyodo)
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The United States and Iran held preliminary talks on April 12 concerning Tehran's nuclear development program. Delegations from the two countries then followed up with a second round of talks on April 19 in Rome. Both sides commented that the dialogue had been positive, and a third round was scheduled for the week of April 21.
This is the first time the two countries have engaged in negotiations since the first Trump administration withdrew from a 2015 multilateral agreement that had placed limits on Tehran's nuclear program.
Why the Iran Talks Matter
Iran's nuclear development is approaching a level where it will be capable of producing nuclear weapons. That capability is also becoming the greatest source of instability in the Middle East.
America should seek an agreement that puts strict limits on Iran's nuclear program. At the same time, Iran must agree to end its support for pro-Iranian militias that continue to attack Western countries and Israel. It must also end its support for Russia's continued aggression in Ukraine.
The talks initially took the form of an indirect dialogue mediated by the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, representatives from the two countries reportedly spoke directly after the initial negotiation session. Both governments said the atmosphere in the meetings so far was "constructive and positive."
However, undue optimism is not warranted, as the standoff between the US and Iran over nuclear development remains deep. Consequently, the outcome of the talks remains uncertain.
Developments Since 2015
The US, Europe, and other countries concluded a nuclear deal with Iran in 2015. It offered sanctions relief in exchange for Tehran restricting the development of its nuclear capabilities. The first Trump administration withdrew from the agreement in 2018, citing insufficient terms. It then reimposed sanctions and began pursuing a "maximum pressure" policy.
The second Trump administration has shifted from the conciliatory policy of the previous Biden administration to a policy of once more increasing pressure on Iran.
In March, President Donald Trump sent a letter to Iran's "Supreme Leader," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, proposing bilateral talks. Nonetheless, Trump remained unwavering in his call for Iran to completely abandon its nuclear development program.
Iran is believed to have stockpiled at least 275 kilograms of 60% pure enriched uranium. A purity level of roughly 90% is needed for weapons-grade uranium.
Iran's Sophistry Doesn't Help
Meanwhile, Iran's leaders continue to engage in sophistry by claiming that they have absolutely no intention of building nuclear weapons. Tehran has also been accelerating its development of ballistic missiles and is supplying weapons to Russia.
The country's reformist president, Masoud Pezeshkian, wants to revive his nation's struggling economy by restoring the nuclear agreement. However, the main reason for agreeing to the talks was that Iran's air defense facilities suffered devastating damage in retaliatory airstrikes carried out by Israel in October 2024.
Trump has threatened to use force if the two sides cannot reach an agreement. If the situation develops into a military conflict involving Israel, the fallout could be immeasurable. Such a crisis would have a direct impact on Japan's energy security, as over 90% of Japan's crude oil comes from the Middle East.
There is also a risk that efforts to strengthen deterrence against China in Northeast Asia may suffer.
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Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
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