Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrives ahead of negotiations with the U.S., in Muscat, Oman, April 25, 2025. Iranian Foreign Ministry/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
U.S. and Iran Agree to Continue Nuclear Talks Amid Cautious Optimism
April 26, 2025 — Muscat
Negotiations to Resume Despite Ongoing Differences
The United States and Iran have agreed to continue nuclear negotiations next week, both sides confirmed on Saturday. Despite this development, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi expressed “extreme caution” regarding the prospects for success in resolving the long-standing dispute over Iran’s nuclear program.
The discussions, held through Omani mediation, featured a six-hour session in Muscat between Araqchi and U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. This marked the third round of talks, following earlier meetings in Rome that both parties had described as constructive.
“The negotiations are extremely serious and technical… there are still differences, both on major issues and on details,” Araqchi told Iranian state television. “There is seriousness and determination on both sides… However, our optimism about success of the talks remains extremely cautious.”
A senior U.S. official similarly characterized the talks as “positive and productive,” noting that further discussions would take place in Europe “soon.”
Next Meeting Tentatively Scheduled
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi indicated that another “high-level meeting” is provisionally scheduled for May 3, with the final venue to be announced by Oman. Ahead of the principal negotiations, expert-level indirect talks were also conducted in Muscat to craft a potential framework for a future agreement.
“The presence of experts was beneficial… we will return to our capitals for further reviews to see how disagreements can be reduced,” Araqchi stated.
An Iranian official, briefed on the discussions, described the expert-level negotiations as “difficult, complicated, and serious.”
Araqchi reiterated that the sole aim of the negotiations is “to build confidence about the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.”
U.S. Confident Yet Firm
U.S. President Donald Trump, in an interview with Time magazine published Friday, expressed confidence that a deal could be reached with Iran but reiterated that military action remains an option should diplomacy fail.
“I think we’re going to make a deal with Iran,” Trump said, while maintaining a firm stance on possible consequences if negotiations collapse.
Shortly after the latest talks commenced on Saturday, Iranian state media reported a massive explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port near Bandar Abbas, resulting in at least four fatalities and hundreds of injuries. The incident’s potential impact on the diplomatic efforts remains unclear.
Background: Maximum Pressure and Renewed Negotiations
Since returning to office in January, President Trump has reinstated a “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran, reviving the strategy initially employed during his first term. In 2018, Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers and reimposed sweeping economic sanctions.
In response, Iran has incrementally breached the agreement’s limitations, including accelerating uranium enrichment to 60% purity — a level close to weapons-grade — according to the United Nations nuclear watchdog.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated this week that any new agreement would require Iran to cease all uranium enrichment activities and rely on imported fuel for its Bushehr nuclear power plant.
Points of Contention Remain
While Iran has indicated willingness to accept certain restrictions in exchange for the lifting of sanctions, Tehran has declared that ending its enrichment program or surrendering its stockpile of enriched uranium remains a “red line.”
Additionally, European diplomats have proposed that any comprehensive agreement should address Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities to prevent the future development of nuclear-armed missiles. Tehran, however, has consistently maintained that its missile program is non-negotiable.
An Iranian official familiar with the discussions noted on Friday that Iran perceives external demands related to its missile program as a greater obstacle to reaching a final deal.
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