Top Iranian and U.S. negotiators have ended a third round of indirect negotiations in Oman, centered on Iran’s nuclear program and lifting of sanctions.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi headed the Iranian delegation while U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff represented the American side.
The technical and high-level talks were facilitated by Omani mediators, a week after a second round in Rome that both sides described as “constructive.”
Majid Takht-e-Ravanchi, deputy foreign minister for political affairs, and Kazem Gharibabadi, deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs who engaged Michael Anton, the U.S. State Department’s head of policy planning in the expert-level talks.
Both Iran and the U.S. had described the first two rounds of negotiations as “constructive and promising” but Araqchi expressed “cautious optimism” about the process this week.
“If the sole demand by the U.S. for Iran is to not possess nuclear weapons, this demand is achievable, ” the top diplomat had said. “We will naturally encounter problems given impractical or illogical demands.”
Iran-US talks held in more serious atmosphere: Araqchi
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi addressed reporters after talks with US delegation in the Omani capital on Saturday, saying today’s third round was held in a more serious atmosphere.
“Negotiations with United States held in much serious atmosphere than before,” said Araqchi.
He said that the “Next round of talks to be held with US envoy Steve Witkoff.”
He continued to say that “We have reached a point where we have to discuss detailed nuclear negotiations .”
“Talks were only limited to nuclear issues, removal of sanctions,” he continued.
“There are still differences on the general issues and the details,” Araqchi said, adding that “Our optimism is extremely cautious.”
“Some of our differences are serious and some are less serious. I think our progress so far has been good. We are satisfied with the progress of the negotiations. Both sides are serious,” he added.
“I’d like to make it clear that the topic of the negotiations is the nuclear issue and we will not accept any other issue,” Iran’s lead negotiator said.
Next round of talks to be held next Saturday: Oman FM
In a post on his X account, the Omani foreign minister said today’s talks between Iran and the US identified a shared aspiration to reach an agreement based on mutual respect and enduring commitments.
“Core principles, objectives, and technical concerns were all addressed,” Busaidi wrote.
He noted that the sides agreed to continue the negotiations “with a further high-level meeting” provisionally scheduled for May 3.
Iran insists on its peaceful nuclear right: Foreign Ministry spokesman
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei reiterated Tehran’s insistence on its legitimate right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes during the indirect talks with the United States.
In a post on his X account on Saturday, Baqaei said the Iran-US talks were proceeding in a “serious” atmosphere.
He noted that the parties exchanged views on terminating sanctions effectively, building confidence in the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program, and safeguarding Tehran’s right to civilian nuclear energy, facilitated by Oman.
Baqaei also dismissed claims from certain Western media outlets, emphasizing that Iran’s defense and missile capabilities were not raised in the talks and will never be a topic of negotiation.
The previous rounds of indirect talks between Iran and the United States were held in Muscat and Rome on April 12 and 19, respectively, and were similarly aimed at finding common ground on Tehran’s nuclear program.
Source: Iranian Agencies
