The United States and Iran met in Oman on April 26 for their third round of negotiations concerning Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program.
Talks were held for several hours in Muscat, according to Omani mediators, during indirect sessions between Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff. A fourth round of talks is scheduled for May 3, though the location remains undisclosed.
“The discussions were very serious and professional. We maintain cautious optimism,” Araqchi said, without offering further details.
Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who has mediated both previous rounds in Muscat and Rome, offered a positive assessment after the latest meeting.
“Iran and the United States identified a shared aspiration to reach an agreement based on mutual respect and sustained commitment,” Busaidi posted on X (formerly Twitter). He noted that core principles, objectives, and technical concerns were addressed.
The ongoing negotiations aim to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the easing of severe U.S. economic sanctions imposed on Tehran.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities if no agreement is reached. Iranian officials, for their part, continue to warn that they could develop a nuclear weapon from their stockpile of highly enriched uranium if diplomatic efforts fail.
