Round-Up: What the fourth Iran–US nuclear talks entail?

The fourth round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States took place on May 11 in Muscat, Oman, amid escalating international concerns and domestic pressures in both countries. The high-stakes discussions, mediated by Oman, aimed to revive the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), from which the United States unilaterally withdrew in 2018. Although both parties expressed willingness to continue diplomatic efforts, key disagreements—especially over uranium enrichment—continue to block significant progress.

Iran reiterates its “peaceful nuclear purposes”

Speaking during a cabinet meeting in Tehran on May 11, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed Tehran’s longstanding position that its nuclear ambitions are peaceful. 

“We are engaged in negotiations with the United States over our nuclear programme because we want peace and do not seek war,” the president noted. 

He emphasised that Iran’s nuclear ambitions are strictly peaceful and that the country has no intention of fuelling instability in the region.

“The Islamic Republic does not seek unrest in the region by any means,” he said.

He added that the Islamic Republic “has never sought, is not seeking, nor will seek nuclear weapons.”

Pezeshkian emphasised Iran's seriousness in reaching a diplomatic agreement but clarified that Tehran would not relinquish its right to peaceful nuclear development. 

"We are committed to negotiations and are pursuing an agreement, but we will never give up our right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes," he said.

“Difficult but useful”

The talks in Oman lasted about three hours and were described by both sides as challenging yet constructive. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei also confirmed that the talks took place that long and that a decision on the next round of talks is under discussion.

According to Baghaei, the talks were "difficult but useful," allowing both parties to better understand each other’s positions. Additionally, a US official, speaking anonymously, also characterised the session as encouraging and both “direct and indirect.” 

However, Iran insisted they only took place indirectly. 

“Agreement was reached to move forward with the talks to continue working through technical elements. We are encouraged by today’s outcome and look forward to our next meeting, which will happen in the near future,” the official noted. 

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi led the Iranian delegation, while US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff represented Washington. According to multiple reports, some exchanges were direct, but most of the talks were conducted indirectly through Omani mediators, including Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi. 

Speaking to Iran's state-run IRIB TV after the negotiations in Oman's capital, Araghchi said the discussions had shifted from general topics to more specific proposals. He characterised the talks as "forward-moving" but acknowledged the growing complexity of the issues. Both sides agreed to continue the discussions.

Uranium enrichment dilemma

Speaking before the talks started, Araghchi said Iran will not in any circumstances back down from its “right” to enrich uranium for energy. He added weapons of mass destruction have no place in Iran’s security doctrine.

One of the difficulties in the talks, he said, was the conflict between the US statements in and out of the negotiating room.

“Iran may place restrictions on things such as its dimensions, size, level and amount in order to build trust, for example, in a period similar to the previous period,” he said, referring to the restrictions placed on the purity and stocks of Iran’s enriched uranium under the original nuclear deal signed in 2015.

Araghchi also called on the US side to stop making demands through the media, saying it made the negotiation process more complex.

In turn, US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff reiterated the US’s hardline stance when it comes to the enrichment program.

“An enrichment program can never exist in the state of Iran ever again. That’s our red line. No enrichment. That means dismantlement, it means no weaponisation, and it means that Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan — those are their three enrichment facilities — have to be dismantled,” he declared. 

Araghchi, however, warned again that enrichment remains a red line for Iran.

“This is a right of the Iranian people that is not up for negotiation or compromise. Enrichment is one of the achievements and honours of the Iranian nation. A heavy price has been paid for this enrichment. The blood of our nuclear scientists has been shed for it. This is absolutely non-negotiable. That has been our clear stance that we have always voiced,” the Iranian official finalised. 

Under the 2015 nuclear agreement, Iran agreed to limit its uranium enrichment to 3.67 per cent and reduce its stockpile to just 300 kilograms — levels sufficient for nuclear power plants, but far below the 90 per cent threshold required for weapons-grade material. However, following the US withdrawal from the deal in 2018 under Trump, Tehran abandoned these restrictions and began enriching uranium to as much as 60 per cent purity. This level is technically just a short step away from the capacity needed for a nuclear weapon.

The collapse of the agreement and the subsequent escalation of Iran’s nuclear activities have coincided with a series of confrontations both at sea and on land. These incidents — occurring even before the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict — have further strained regional stability.

What comes next?

No date has been agreed for the next round, although it was reported that it would be announced by mediator Oman.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said the fifth round of talks would take place once both sides have consulted their leaders. He said the discussions on May 11 included “useful and original ideas” that reflected a shared wish to reach an “honourable” agreement.

However, the two sides still appear a long way from any deal, even as time ticks away. The two-month deadline allegedly set by Trump in a March letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, looms in the background. According to reports, the letter was delivered via an Emirati diplomat on March 12, suggesting a deadline of May 13—just two days after the fourth round.

The latest round of the US-Iranian talks on May 11 follows previous sessions in Muscat on April 12 and 26, and in Rome on April 19.

By Sabina Mammadli