Trump Hails “Very Good” Weekend Talks Between U.S. and Iranian Delegations

U.S. President Donald J. Trump revealed on Sunday that American negotiators held what he described as “very good” and “productive” talks with an Iranian delegation over the weekend marking a surprising diplomatic thaw in one of the most complex and strained relationships in international politics.

Speaking to reporters outside the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, the 45th president noted, “We had a very good meeting, a very good discussion. They [the Iranians] came prepared. We’re looking at a possible roadmap forward that will benefit both countries.”

Though Trump did not disclose specific details of the negotiations, sources close to the discussions confirmed that the meetings were centered around de escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, easing sanctions, and reviving partial cooperation on nuclear inspections under a new framework.

The talks, which had not been previously announced by the U.S. State Department or Iranian Foreign Ministry, took place in Muscat, Oman, a long-time neutral host for backchannel diplomacy in the Middle East. Analysts were caught off guard by the development, as there had been no formal communication between Tehran and Washington since 2023.

According to sources within the Trump-aligned foreign policy circle, the former president had been pushing for renewed engagement with Iran as part of his broader vision of asserting American strength while avoiding long-term entanglements abroad.

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“He believes in tough deals, but he also believes in making deals,” said one of the aides, speaking anonymously. “The idea here is to keep Iran from slipping further into China and Russia’s orbit.”

In Tehran, the Iranian Foreign Ministry released a short statement late Sunday acknowledging “technical and preliminary-level dialogue” with a “U.S.-aligned delegation,” but emphasized that no formal agreement was reached.

“We reiterate our longstanding position that Iran seeks peace and respect in international relations. These talks, while useful, are at a very early stage,” the statement read.

Iranian state television offered minimal coverage, but social media in Iran lit up with speculation that this could be a soft turning point in what has otherwise been years of deadlock and confrontation.

Trump’s announcement drew mixed reactions in Washington, where President Joe Biden’s administration has maintained a hardline posture toward Iran following the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal.

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Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) praised the effort, saying, “If Trump can find a way to dial down conflict and get Iran to comply with international norms without compromising American interests, it’s worth watching.”

Conversely, Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) expressed concern: “We need transparency. Private diplomacy led by a former president can send mixed signals that undermine current U.S. policy.”

Diplomatic experts suggest that both sides are motivated by evolving geopolitical pressures. Iran, crippled by inflation and isolated from Western markets, may be seeking economic relief. Meanwhile, the U.S. is wary of Iran’s growing alignment with Moscow and Beijing, particularly in the wake of Russia’s expanded operations in Syria and China’s increasing investments in Iranian infrastructure.

Potential outcomes of the talks could include:

• A temporary relaxation of certain U.S. sanctions in exchange for Iran freezing uranium enrichment;

• Humanitarian relief access through third-party monitoring;

• A new inspection regime under a modified nuclear framework.

If confirmed and expanded, this informal dialogue could mark one of the most significant openings between the two nations in nearly a decade. Trump’s reference to a “roadmap forward” suggests further meetings may already be on the horizon.

As of Monday morning, the White House has not issued an official comment on the former president’s announcement, fueling speculation about behind-the-scenes diplomacy and potential power shifts in 2025.