US, Iran Set Next Expert-Level Talks April 26 After Rome’s Round/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Iran and the U.S. agreed to hold a third round of nuclear negotiations in Oman on April 26, with expert-level talks taking place beforehand. The announcement came after a productive second meeting in Rome between Iran’s foreign minister and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks – Quick Looks
- Next Iran-U.S. nuclear round set for April 26 in Oman
- Expert-level meetings to occur before ministerial talks
- Rome session described as ‘constructive’ by Iran’s top diplomat
- U.S. aims to prevent Iran from weaponizing nuclear program
- Oman mediating indirect talks between Araghchi and Witkoff
- Tensions persist amid Israel-Hamas war, Houthi airstrikes
- Russia, IAEA and Italy closely involved in facilitating negotiations
- Iran’s economic crisis adds urgency to deal-making efforts
Deep Look: Iran, U.S. Agree to Resume Nuclear Negotiations in Oman After Constructive Talks in Rome
ROME — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced Saturday that Tehran and Washington will resume nuclear talks in Oman on April 26, with expert-level technical discussions set to begin in the days leading up to the high-stakes ministerial meeting.
Araghchi met with U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff in Rome for several hours at the Omani Embassy, continuing a delicate diplomatic push to rein in Iran’s nuclear ambitions amid growing regional instability.
“The talks were held in a constructive environment and I can say that is moving forward,” Araghchi told Iranian state media. “This time, we succeeded to reach a better understanding about a sort of principles and aims.”
Though the U.S. offered no official readout, the tone from Tehran marked a rare note of optimism. Oman’s foreign ministry confirmed the two sides would continue working toward a deal that ensures Iran is “completely free of nuclear weapons and sanctions,” while maintaining its civilian nuclear program.
Why These Talks Matter
The diplomatic discussions represent the most serious nuclear negotiations between Iran and the U.S. in years. They come as President Donald Trump, now in his second term, presses for a rapid resolution and has threatened military action if Iran moves toward building a nuclear bomb.
Since Trump unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, Tehran has escalated its uranium enrichment to 60%, dangerously close to weapons-grade levels.
The current diplomatic path could avoid escalation in a region already rocked by war in Gaza, U.S. airstrikes in Yemen, and fears of a broader conflict involving Israel.
Key Diplomatic Players Join
Before meeting with Witkoff, Araghchi held talks with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Rafael Grossi, head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog IAEA. Italy and the IAEA are expected to play critical roles in technical implementation should a deal be reached.
Meanwhile, Witkoff had been in Paris days earlier, where he reportedly met with Israeli officials, including Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Mossad chief David Barnea. Dermer was seen at Witkoff’s Rome hotel on Saturday, though his involvement in the Iran talks remains unclear.
Araghchi also met recently with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Analysts say Russia may act as a guarantor, potentially holding Iran’s enriched uranium if an agreement is signed.
From Rome to Muscat
Rome hosted the second round of talks after an initial face-to-face meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff in Muscat last weekend. That session marked the first direct contact between top Iranian and U.S. officials since the failed revival of the 2015 accord under President Biden.
Oman’s foreign minister, Badr al-Busaidi, has been shuttling between the two sides in both locations, maintaining a channel for indirect dialogue amid decades of hostility between Tehran and Washington.
“A diplomatic deal is built patiently, day by day, with dialogue and mutual respect,” Tajani said, reaffirming Italy’s willingness to facilitate further meetings.
Domestic Pressures in Iran
Back home, Iran faces mounting economic and political pressure. The country’s currency, the rial, plunged past 1 million to the dollar this month before recovering slightly amid news of renewed negotiations.
Inflation and sanctions continue to cripple Iran’s economy, while social unrest simmers over potential fuel price hikes and ongoing protests against the mandatory hijab law.
Meanwhile, Iran Air received two long-awaited Airbus A330 aircraft last week — a move that analysts say could indicate optimism over a potential easing of sanctions.
What’s at Stake
Trump has made clear his bottom line: Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon. Yet his administration has also floated conflicting messages — with envoy Witkoff first suggesting uranium enrichment to 3.67% might be acceptable, then later saying all enrichment must stop.
Ali Shamkhani, a top adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned that Tehran would not follow the path of Libya, which gave up its nuclear program and later suffered Western-backed regime change.
“Iran has come for a balanced agreement, not a surrender,” Shamkhani wrote on social media.
Still, the shift toward technical discussions signals a possible breakthrough — or at least a willingness to explore terms. With both sides under immense domestic and geopolitical pressure, the next meeting in Oman could prove pivotal in determining whether diplomacy prevails or tensions reignite.
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