War or Negotiations: Which Path Will Washington and Tehran Take?

The question of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program has once again returned to the forefront of international attention — yet analysts and observers express little optimism. Both Washington and Tehran remain firmly entrenched in their positions, each refusing to offer concessions that could remove the obstacles preventing a new agreement.

Although Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi hinted in an interview with Al Jazeera that the diplomatic door remains open regarding the nuclear issue, many analysts believe that the hurdles are still deeply rooted.

According to Dr. Ibrahim Fraihat, Professor of International Conflict at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, who spoke on Al Jazeera’s program Beyond the News, the “just solution” that Araghchi referred to is not seen the same way by Washington as it is by Tehran.

A Call for ‘Fair and Equitable’ Negotiations

Araghchi reiterated that Iran is willing to engage in dialogue over its nuclear program — but only if Washington is prepared for “fair and equitable negotiations” that protect the interests of all parties involved.

In a special interview for Al Jazeera’s program The Interview, scheduled to air on Sunday evening, Araghchi said there is indeed room for a fair agreement, yet the United States has placed “unreasonable and unacceptable conditions” on Iran.

Former U.S. State Department official Dr. Thomas Warrick interpreted Araghchi’s remarks as evidence that Tehran remains steadfast in rejecting Washington’s demands — particularly those calling for a halt to uranium enrichment and the abandonment of any pathway that could potentially lead to nuclear weapons capability.

Given this stance, Warrick argued — also on Beyond the News — that there is little room for optimism regarding any near-term understanding between the two capitals.

Iran’s View: Dialogue, Not Surrender

Tehran continues to assert that it is open to dialogue, while accusing Washington of lacking any genuine intention to reach an agreement. This sentiment was echoed by Ali Akbar Dareini, a researcher specialising in American studies, during the November 1, 2025, episode of Beyond the News.

According to Dareini, President Donald Trump is “seeking Iran’s surrender, not a fair deal.”
He added that no real progress can be expected as long as the U.S. insists on denying Iran its right to enrich uranium — a process Iran views as central to its sovereign and peaceful nuclear program.

Open Scenarios: From Diplomacy to Escalation

With both sides refusing to back down, analysts suggest that all scenarios remain on the table — including the military option.

Dr. Ibrahim Fraihat believes the situation is moving toward escalation, unless alternative solutions emerge — such as Russian mediation, economic incentives from Tehran to Washington, or even the controversial “Libyan model” being applied to Iran.

Dr. Warrick, meanwhile, agreed that the military option is on the table, though “not in the near future.” He predicted that any future attacks could be more severe than the strikes Tehran endured during the 12-day war with Israel.

However, Dareini dismissed the likelihood of a military strike altogether, stressing that neither the United States nor Israel is in a position to launch a full-scale war — and that “it is in the world’s best interest to avoid a major escalation that could ignite a regional conflict.”

Oman’s Mediation and the Ongoing Stalemate

The Sultanate of Oman, which has hosted several rounds of indirect talks between Washington and Tehran before they were suspended following the Israeli-American attack in June, has urged both sides to resume dialogue.

Western countries and Israel continue to accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons development — claims that Tehran categorically denies.
Iran maintains that its nuclear advancements are purely for civilian and scientific purposes, such as medicine, energy production, and technological progress — rights protected under international law.