Iran and the US hold hours of expert talks in Oman over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program. - AP News

Iran and the US hold hours of expert talks in Oman over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program. - AP News

Iran and the United States resumed high-stakes negotiations in Oman over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program on Saturday, April 25, 2025. The talks, held in Muscat, the mountain-wrapped capital of the sultanate, aim to curb Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for lifting economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. [1]

The negotiations, led by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff, began with both sides maintaining a neutral stance on the specifics of the talks. Araghchi arrived in Oman on Friday, meeting with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who has mediated previous rounds of talks. Witkoff, who was in Moscow meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, arrived in Oman later that day [1].

The talks come after decades of tensions between Iran and the U.S. The 2015 nuclear deal, which limited Iran's nuclear program, was unilaterally withdrawn by the U.S. in 2018, leading to years of attacks and tensions. Iranian officials have warned they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels [1].

While Araghchi and Witkoff are expected to speak through the Omanis, experts from both sides will also begin negotiating the details of a possible deal. From the Iranian side, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-e Ravanchi will lead Tehran’s expert team. The U.S. technical team, led by Michael Anton, will arrive in Oman on Friday [1].

The talks are expected to focus on Iran's enrichment of uranium, with Iran insisting on keeping its enrichment capabilities. Witkoff has muddied the issue by first suggesting Iran could enrich uranium at 3.67%, then later stating that all enrichment must stop. This demand has also been repeated by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio [1].

Despite the challenges, Iranians remain hopeful that the talks could be successful. The Iranian rial has rebounded from historic lows, with 1 million rial now needed to buy $1 [1].

The talks come amidst ongoing tensions in the Middle East, including the devastating Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. U.S. President Donald Trump, traveling to Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis, expressed hope that negotiations would lead to a new nuclear deal but also held out the possibility of a military strike if they didn't [1].

References:
[1] https://www.castanet.net/news/World/546831/Iran-and-the-US-hold-expert-talks-in-Oman-over-Tehran-s-rapidly-advancing-nuclear-program
[2] https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-nuclear-talks-oman-f2e4ecf49c62c11a0240153d7f900d0d
[3] https://www.euronews.com/2025/04/25/iran-and-us-to-resume-high-stakes-talks-in-oman-on-saturday-to-revive-nuclear-deal?utm_campaign=feeds_bcs_topstories&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=news.google.com