April 15, 2025 / JNS – As the U.S. and Iran resume nuclear talks in Oman, Israeli experts are warning that Tehran is once again using diplomacy to stall for time and advance its nuclear program.
The first round of indirect talks, mediated by Oman’s foreign minister, lasted just over two hours. Iran’s demands reportedly include swift sanctions relief and billions in unfrozen assets. In return, Tehran may offer minimal limits on uranium enrichment, but is unlikely to roll back its nuclear progress.
Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman, vice president of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, said the U.S. must not fall into the trap of endless negotiations. “If Witkoff gets dragged into an open-ended process manipulated by Qatar, Oman, and Iran, we enter dangerous territory,” he warned. “Israel must put its own military option on the table.”
Prof. Eitan Gilboa of Bar-Ilan University noted that the current talks go against Israel’s core security doctrine. “Netanyahu doesn’t believe in negotiations with Iran. He believes any deal will be violated,” said Gilboa. “He’s long supported military action—ideally by the U.S. or jointly with Israel—but diplomacy delays that option.”
Gilboa emphasized Iran’s well-known strategy of using talks to dodge restrictions, and posed a critical question: “If negotiations fail, what will the U.S. do?”
Brig. Gen. (res.) Prof. Jacob Nagel, former Israeli national security adviser, stressed that Iran is already dangerously close to nuclear capability. “Iran holds nearly 280 kg of uranium enriched to 60%—just a step from weapons-grade,” he said. “They have enough fissile material to produce a bomb within weeks.”
Nagel pointed to the Mossad-seized Iranian nuclear archive as proof of intent: “It included plans for five 10-kiloton warheads. This wasn’t for history—they kept it to resume development when ready.”
He urged the U.S. to impose strict preconditions: dismantle enrichment facilities, eliminate enriched uranium, and shut down missile and weaponization programs. “The worst outcome,” he warned, “would be a bad deal labeled a success. That would tie Israel’s hands.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu, aware of the talks in advance, told his Cabinet that Israel is coordinating with the U.S. and has urged President Trump to impose a time limit on negotiations.
Gen. Charles “Chuck” Wald, USAF (ret.), noted during a JINSA webinar that the U.S. military is prepared for action. “There are six B-2 bombers at Diego Garcia, ready for strike missions,” he said, adding that assets like refuelers, drones, and bunker-busters are also in place. “We can’t treat Iran as we wish it was—we must deal with reality. I see a high likelihood of military action.”