U.S.-Iran dialogue recorded 'some advancements yet remained inconclusive,' asserts Oman as mediator
Iran and the United States made some progress, but not a definitive breakthrough, in their fifth round of negotiations over Iran's nuclear program held in Rome, as revealed by the Omani mediator. Badr al-Busaidi stated that while some progress was achieved, the talks are still in flux, with the most significant challenge being to find a middle ground on American demands for Iran to halt enriching uranium and Iran's insistence on maintaining its nuclear program.
Al-Busaidi expressed optimism that the remaining issues could be clarified in the coming days, encouraging a road towards a sustainable and honorable agreement. Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, echoed this sentiment, expressing his hope that in the next one or two rounds, solutions can be found to allow the talks to progress further. He clarified, however, that they are not yet at this point, but they remain hopeful.
Steve Witkoff and Michael Anton from the US represented the country in the negotiations, which took place at the Omani Embassy in Rome's Camilluccia neighborhood. A senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, characterized the talks as continuing to be constructive, with further progress made, though there is still more work to be done.
The talks aim to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of some economic sanctions imposed by the US. The stakes are high, as President Trump has repeatedly threatened to launch airstrikes targeting Iran's program if a deal is not reached. In turn, Iranian officials have warned that they could pursue a nuclear weapon should the country accumulate more uranium enriched to near-weapons-grade levels.
However, experts suggest it would still likely take Iran months to build a working nuclear bomb, even if they were to pursue this path. Enrichment remains the key sticking point, as Witkoff initially suggested Iran could enrich uranium at 3.67%, but later changed his stance to insist all Iranian enrichment must cease. This latter position has hardened over time. An alternative solution discussed could be a consortium in the Middle East backed by regional countries and the US to provide Iran with uranium, thus potentially allowing them to stop enriching uranium domestically. Iran, however, has consistently maintained that enrichment must continue within its borders.
Tensions surrounding these negotiations are further complicated by Israel's threat to strike Iran's nuclear facilities if it deems necessary, as well as the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Additionally, the economic situation in Iran is precarious, with the rial currency plunging over 1 million to a US dollar in April, causing concern about the potential for further economic unrest. Internal politics within Iran are also complex, with ongoing controversy surrounding the mandatory hijab, or headscarf, in addition to rumors of government plans to increase the cost of subsidized gasoline, which could result in nationwide protests.
Associated Press writers Amir Vahdat and Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.
In the midst of these complex Middle Eastern politics, discussions regarding Iran's nuclear program and potential sanctions relief are ongoing, with the talks held in Rome involving representatives from both Iran and the United States. The general news from Seattle and other cities around the world closely follows this process, as the fate of any agreement greatly impacts global affairs. The key contentious issue remains enrichment, with both sides having differing views, which could significantly influence the outcome of these negotiations.
