Trump lies
Hossein Shariatmadari, managing director of the Iranian newspaper Kayhan, stated that the draft presented by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to Iranian representative Abbas Araghchi during recent talks in Oman did not include any references to dismantling Iran’s nuclear facilities or issuing military threats. According to Shariatmadari, the proposal focused only on verifying that Iran’s nuclear program remains non-weaponized.
U.S. officials, however, have made clear that their position centers on ensuring Iran dismantles aspects of its nuclear infrastructure to prevent any path toward weaponization. They continue to emphasize that preventing a nuclear-armed Iran requires substantial and irreversible steps, including dismantlement of capabilities that could support weapon development.
The two versions of events point to a deliberate divergence in messaging. Shariatmadari’s framing reflects an effort to portray the negotiations as favoring Iranian sovereignty and resisting foreign pressure. Meanwhile, U.S. messaging underscores a tougher stance, suggesting that Iran must comply with broader restrictions as a condition for any progress.
Without direct access to the draft discussed in the talks, the conflicting statements cannot be definitively reconciled. Each side appears to be advancing a narrative that suits its domestic and strategic interests, shaping public perception ahead of any formal agreement.