Trump Claims "Good Start" to Iran Nuclear Talks, Tehran Says He's Lying

U.S. President Donald Trump has commented for the first time on the initial round of negotiations with Iran in Oman, describing the opening sessions as "good" and "a very good start." Speaking as he departed the White House on February 6, 2026, Trump suggested that the Iranian leadership is under significant pressure, stating, "It looks like the Iranians want to make a deal very badly."

While expressing optimism about the potential for a breakthrough, the President emphasized that the U.S. is in no rush, noting there is "plenty of time" to reach an agreement. However, he reaffirmed a strict American red line: Iran will not be permitted to obtain nuclear weapons.

The response from the Islamic Republic was swift and sharp. Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, dismissed Trump’s characterization of the talks. Rezaei labeled the President a "liar," asserting that the Iranian government has not and will not retreat from its established "red lines." He argued that the U.S. returned to the negotiating table only after other options failed, leaving Washington with "no choice but to accept the rights of the Iranian people."

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who led the delegation in Muscat, provided further context in an interview with Al Jazeera. While he agreed the talks were a "good start," he underscored the vast distance remaining between the two sides.

Key Iranian positions clarified by Araghchi include:

Nuclear Enrichment: Described as an "inalienable right" that must continue. Araghchi stated that "zero enrichment" is entirely off the table and that even military strikes could not destroy Iran's nuclear capabilities.

Missile Program: Explicitly non-negotiable, both now and in the future, as it is considered a matter of national defense.

Readiness for Conflict: While expressing a desire to avoid regional war, Araghchi warned that Iran is prepared for military escalation and would target U.S. bases in the region if attacked.

The indirect talks, mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, represent the first significant diplomatic engagement since the collapse of previous agreements and the military escalations of 2025. Despite the "positive atmosphere" reported by both sides, the U.S. continues to apply "maximum pressure," recently announcing new sanctions on Iran's oil sector even as the diplomats met in Muscat.

Both nations are expected to reconvene for further discussions next week, though the fundamental gap between the U.S. demand for "zero nuclear capability" and Iran’s insistence on continued enrichment remains the primary obstacle.

Open Source Intel reports: