Iran and the United States held more than four hours of negotiations in Muscat, Oman, on Saturday, discussing Tehran’s nuclear program in an effort to revive diplomatic progress.
Both sides agreed to meet again, with a potential high-level meeting scheduled for May 3.
Sources close to Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East, confirmed the talks, and Iran’s state television also reported the conclusion of the meeting, according to the Associated Press.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the talks as “serious and work-oriented,” while American officials characterized them as “positive and productive.”
“This time, the discussions were much more serious than before, and we gradually moved into deeper, more detailed discussions,” Araghchi stated, acknowledging that significant differences remain.
Speculation is growing, especially within Iran, that the Trump administration may have shifted its approach, potentially abandoning demands for a complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program in favor of imposing strict limitations.
A senior U.S. official, speaking anonymously, said:
“This latest round of direct and indirect talks lasted over four hours. Although considerable work remains, additional progress has been made toward reaching an agreement. Another meeting in Europe has been agreed upon soon.”
Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr al-Busaidi, who has previously mediated talks in Muscat and Rome, emphasized that both Iran and the U.S. demonstrated a “willingness to reach a deal based on mutual respect and lasting commitments.”
He confirmed that key principles, goals, and technical concerns were discussed and that talks would continue next week.
The negotiations follow years of heightened tensions between the two countries and aim to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. These discussions seek a new agreement after the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal.
Iranian officials have warned that without an agreement, Iran could advance toward developing nuclear weapons.
Meanwhile, during the talks, a massive explosion rocked a southern Iranian port, killing four people and injuring over 500. Authorities attributed the blast to flammable materials and ruled out any connection to the oil and gas industry.
