The fourth round of indirect talks between the United States and Iran over Iran’s nuclear program concluded Sunday in Oman, with a fifth round scheduled to take place at a later date.
As in previous rounds, the discussions were conducted between Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi serving as mediator and relaying messages between the two sides.
The fifth round is also expected to be held in Oman, with al-Busaidi continuing in his role as mediator once a date is confirmed.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei described the talks on X (formerly Twitter) as “difficult.”
Araghchi stated, “I can say that today’s indirect negotiations were more serious and specific than the previous three rounds.”
Tehran’s characterization of the talks as challenging appears to stem largely from a shift in the U.S. stance regarding Iran’s nuclear enrichment program. While earlier discussions saw the U.S. expressing openness to Iran maintaining a civilian nuclear enrichment program, conflicting signals emerged from the Trump administration. Over the past week, the administration adopted a firmer position, demanding the complete dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program.
On Thursday, President Donald Trump remarked that Iran’s centrifuges would either “blow up nicely” as part of a deal or “viciously” without one. In an interview Friday, Witkoff confirmed that Washington’s current position is that Iran must dismantle all of its enrichment facilities.
This shift in the U.S. position reportedly led to the delay of the fourth round of talks, which had originally been scheduled for the previous week.
Iran has consistently rejected the idea of eliminating its enrichment program. On Sunday, Araghchi reiterated this position, saying:
Iran’s right to domestic uranium enrichment is not subject to compromise. While the scale and level of enrichment may be limited for confidence-building, our right to enrichment is non-negotiable.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi
He also criticized the inconsistency of the U.S. stance, warning that if Washington continues to change its position, Iran “will be forced to respond.”
By contrast, the U.S. struck a more optimistic tone. According to Axios, a senior administration official said Washington was “encouraged” by the day's talks and confirmed that both sides had agreed to continue working through the technical elements of a potential nuclear agreement.
Sunday’s meeting took place amid reports that all six B-2 Spirit stealth bombers previously stationed at Diego Garcia Airbase in the Indian Ocean have been withdrawn. The move may signal that the Trump administration now views a potential military conflict with Iran as less imminent.