Iran and U.S. Complete Fourth Round of Nuclear Talks in Oman

The United States and Iran concluded a fourth session of nuclear negotiations on Sunday in Muscat, Oman, just days before President Donald Trump is set to visit the Middle East.

According to a U.S. official who spoke with the Associated Press, the meeting lasted approximately three hours, with Oman continuing its role as mediator. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei confirmed the duration and noted that discussions are ongoing about when to meet again.

US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff said the discussions were encouraging, while Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described them as “difficult but useful.”

The official added that the conversations involved both direct and indirect exchanges.

“Agreement was reached to move forward with the talks to continue working through technical elements,” the U.S. official stated. “We are encouraged by today’s outcome and look forward to our next meeting, which will happen in the near future.”

Iran maintained that the talks were conducted solely through indirect channels, a stance that may reflect domestic political pressures within the country.

The negotiations aim to place restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities in return for lifting some of the severe U.S. sanctions, amid a decades-long rivalry between the two nations.

Trump has repeatedly threatened military strikes against Iranian nuclear sites if an agreement is not achieved. Meanwhile, Iranian officials continue to suggest they may pursue nuclear weapons, citing their growing stockpile of uranium enriched close to weapons-grade. The situation is further complicated by Israel’s threats to launch unilateral attacks on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, heightening tensions in a region already destabilized by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

While Witkoff and Araghchi addressed one another, the bulk of communication appears to have been indirect, with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi facilitating exchanges.

“The discussions included useful and original ideas reflecting a shared wish to reach an honorable agreement,” al-Busaidi posted on X.

“From our viewpoint, enrichment is a subject that should definitely continue and there is no room for compromise on that,” Araghchi said. “It is possible that we consider some limits on its dimensions, amount and level for trust building, similar to the past.”

Witkoff initially suggested Iran might enrich uranium up to 3.67%, but later told Breitbart that all enrichment must end.

“An enrichment program can never exist in the state of Iran ever again,” Witkoff said. “That’s our red line. No enrichment. That means dismantlement, it means no weaponization, and it means that Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan — those are their three enrichment facilities — have to be dismantled.”

Under the 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers, Iran was restricted to enriching uranium at 3.67% and holding no more than 300 kilograms (661 pounds). This level is suitable for civilian nuclear energy but well below the 90% threshold needed for weapons.