Iran and the United States are set to engage in the fourth round of nuclear negotiations in the Omani capital today, amid strong American opposition to Tehran’s uranium enrichment activities.
The fresh round of talks, which resumes after a brief halt, comes in the wake of the Shah Jae port blast on 26 April, which had prompted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to refuse further discussions.
Araghchi, speaking ahead of the talks on Saturday, warned that if Washington’s objective was to strip Tehran of its “nuclear rights,” Iran would stand firm.
“Iran continues negotiations in good faith, and if the goal of these talks is to ensure the non-acquisition of nuclear weapons, an agreement is possible.
However, if the aim is to limit Iran’s nuclear rights, Iran will never retreat from its rights,” he asserted.
The discussions are focused on the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear centrifuges in exchange for the lifting of US sanctions. However, Tehran is seeking a deal without having to dismantle its centrifuges, a position that is reportedly unacceptable to Israel, a key indirect player in the negotiations.
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Complicating matters further, Saudi Arabia has reportedly expressed concerns over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, with Riyadh seeking similar nuclear capabilities should Iran succeed in securing a deal. Washington, however, fears this could trigger a regional arms race.
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, reiterated Washington’s hardline stance in an interview on Friday, stressing that Iran’s “enrichment facilities have to be dismantled” as a condition for any agreement.
Trump, who pulled the United States out of a 2015 nuclear deal meant to curb Iran’s nuclear activities, has threatened military action if no new accord is reached to resolve the long-standing dispute.
“In its indirect talks with the United States, Iran emphasises its right to peaceful use of nuclear energy and declares that it is not seeking nuclear weapons,” Araghchi said, maintaining Tehran’s insistence on its rights.
The outcome of these high-stakes talks is expected to have a significant impact on the already volatile Middle East, with the fate of millions potentially hanging in the balance.
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