Iran and the United States are set to engage in a series of expert meetings aimed at discussing a potential agreement regarding Iran’s advancing nuclear program. This development follows a recent round of negotiations held in Rome, where Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff for several hours.
Araghchi announced that expert discussions would take place in Oman, leading up to another meeting between him and Witkoff scheduled for April 26. The tone of the talks has been described as constructive, with Araghchi expressing optimism about moving forward after the technical discussions. He noted that the parties have reached a better understanding of the principles and goals involved.
While there was no immediate statement from the U.S. side after the Rome meeting, President Donald Trump has been advocating for a swift deal with Iran, even hinting at military action if necessary. The talks are taking place against a backdrop of rising tensions in the Middle East, particularly due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and recent U.S. airstrikes in Yemen targeting Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.
Oman’s foreign minister, Badr al-Busaidi, who has been facilitating the discussions, indicated that the momentum of the talks is increasing and that even unexpected outcomes are now possible. An official statement from Oman mentioned that both sides agreed to continue their dialogue to pursue a deal that would ensure Iran remains free of nuclear weapons while allowing it to develop peaceful nuclear energy.
This dialogue marks a significant moment in U.S.-Iran relations, especially considering the historical tensions that have existed since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the subsequent U.S. Embassy hostage crisis. In 2018, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the nuclear deal that had previously limited Iran’s uranium enrichment in exchange for lifting economic sanctions, which has led to ongoing instability and conflict.
In the lead-up to these talks, Witkoff also met with Rafael Mariano Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), emphasizing the agency’s potential role in verifying any future agreements. The IAEA was instrumental in monitoring Iran’s compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal.
Iran’s position in the negotiations is firm. Officials have made it clear that they will not agree to relinquish their enrichment program or accept terms similar to those imposed on Libya. Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, stated that Iran seeks a balanced agreement rather than a surrender.
As the discussions unfold, Iran is also facing internal challenges, including economic issues and public protests related to social policies. The Iranian rial has seen a significant decline, but the ongoing negotiations have led to some recovery in the currency’s value. Meanwhile, Iran has recently received two Airbus A330-200 aircraft, a move that may require U.S. approval due to sanctions.
The outcome of these talks could have major implications for both countries and the broader region, particularly in terms of nuclear proliferation and regional stability.