The United States and Iran have entered a critical phase in their renewed nuclear negotiations, with technical discussions set to resume this week in Oman following what both sides described as “constructive” high-level talks in Rome. This marks the second round of indirect dialogue, mediated by Oman, after a similar meeting last week in Muscat. While diplomats are cautiously optimistic, the path to a final agreement remains uncertain.
The upcoming technical discussions, scheduled for Wednesday, will focus on aligning Iran’s nuclear activities with phased sanctions relief. Experts from both countries will work through the intricate layers of U.S. and international sanctions, determining which specific measures could be lifted in return for concrete limits on Iran’s nuclear program. These meetings aim to lay the groundwork for a third round of high-level talks planned for Saturday.
Tensions between the two nations remain high. The current talks emerged after U.S. President Donald Trump warned Tehran of possible military action if it refused to negotiate. In March, Trump sent a message to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei via the United Arab Emirates, prompting an eventual thaw in relations. Despite initial resistance and criticism of Trump’s approach, Iran agreed to indirect negotiations under Omani mediation—a channel previously used in the lead-up to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Iran continues to deny it seeks a nuclear weapon. While Ayatollah Khamenei has upheld a longstanding religious decree banning nuclear arms, he has also stated that Iran cannot be stopped if it ever chooses to pursue one. For now, Iran insists that its uranium enrichment—currently reaching up to 60% purity—is for energy purposes. The U.S., however, wants enrichment capped at 3.67%, the level set under the original JCPOA deal brokered by the Obama administration, which Trump withdrew from in 2018.
Trump has framed his push for a new agreement as an effort to correct the “bad deal” of the past, although many observers note that his current goals closely mirror the terms of the original accord. Israel’s influence played a significant role in Trump’s decision to abandon the JCPOA, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu long claiming Iran was secretly building a bomb. Nevertheless, international watchdogs consistently found Iran compliant with the deal—at least until Trump’s withdrawal prompted Tehran to increase its enrichment activities.
Whether these renewed negotiations result in a binding deal remains to be seen. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has signaled cautious optimism, noting that both sides have reached a “better understanding on certain principles and goals.” However, Iran is demanding firm guarantees that the U.S. will honor any new agreement, wary of a repeat withdrawal. Meanwhile, Washington continues to press Tehran to roll back enrichment and accept strict verification measures.
As both nations prepare for another round of delicate diplomacy, the world watches closely. A successful agreement could not only de-escalate regional tensions but also offer a rare foreign policy win for Trump, who has long sought to portray himself as a global dealmaker. Still, the road to peace remains fragile, and the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether this latest push can succeed where past efforts have failed.
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