MUSCAT, Oman
The United States and Iran have concluded a fresh round of indirect nuclear negotiations in Oman, ending talks on a cautious but constructive note and agreeing to reconvene for another round after consultations in their respective capitals, officials said on Friday.
The discussions, hosted and mediated by Oman in the capital Muscat, marked one of the most substantive diplomatic engagements between Washington and Tehran in years. While no breakthrough was announced, both sides signaled that the talks had opened a channel for further dialogue amid heightened regional tensions and long-standing mistrust .
Iran’s Foreign Minister described the meeting as a “good start,” saying the discussions were serious and focused exclusively on the nuclear issue. He stressed that Tehran views uranium enrichment as a sovereign right and made clear that Iran would not agree to expand the scope of negotiations beyond its nuclear program .
U.S. officials struck a more guarded tone. The American delegation, led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, emphasized the need for verifiable limits on Iran’s nuclear activities, citing international concerns over Tehran’s expanding enrichment capacity. Washington has also repeatedly signaled that any long-term understanding should eventually address broader regional and security issues, including missile development and Iran’s regional influence points Iran continues to reject in this negotiating format .
The Oman talks ended without a joint statement, but mediators confirmed that both sides agreed to pause and return to their capitals for internal consultations before resuming discussions. Omani officials said there was mutual recognition that diplomacy remains preferable to further escalation, even as deep disagreements persist .
The negotiations come against a volatile backdrop. Tensions in the Middle East remain high following months of conflict, military buildups, and previous strikes on Iranian-linked targets. Analysts say this context has added urgency to diplomatic efforts, with regional powers and global actors keen to prevent the nuclear dispute from spiraling into a broader confrontation .
Iranian officials reiterated that sanctions relief remains a central demand, arguing that economic pressure has failed to curb its nuclear activities. U.S. officials counter that any easing of sanctions would require concrete and verifiable steps by Tehran to roll back enrichment and comply with international monitoring standards.
The talks in Muscat follow earlier rounds of indirect diplomacy held over the past year, reflecting a slow and fragile attempt to revive engagement after years of stalemate. While expectations for an immediate agreement remain low, diplomats involved in the process say the willingness to continue talking is itself a significant development.
No date has yet been announced for the next round, but both sides indicated that further discussions are planned in the coming weeks. For now, the outcome underscores a familiar pattern in U.S.-Iran relations: incremental diplomacy, cautious optimism, and unresolved disputes that continue to shape one of the world’s most sensitive nuclear standoffs .
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