Iran, US resume nuclear talks as red lines clash

Senior Iranian and U.S. negotiators restarted discussions on Sunday to tackle disagreements about Tehran’s nuclear program, according to Iranian state media, aiming for advancement as Washington tightens its position before U.S. President Donald Trump’s trip to the Middle East.

While Tehran and Washington have both expressed a preference for diplomacy to settle the long-standing conflict, they continue to be significantly apart on various critical issues that negotiators must navigate to achieve a new nuclear agreement and prevent future military intervention.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will engage in the fourth round of discussions in Muscat with the assistance of Omani mediators, despite Washington’s public hardline approach that Iranian officials claimed would hinder the negotiations.

Trump, who has warned of military intervention in Iran if diplomatic efforts collapse, will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates from May 13 to May 16.

In response to Witkoff’s remarks, Araqchi stated on Saturday that Iran would not yield regarding its nuclear rights, particularly concerning uranium enrichment.

Iranian officials state that Tehran is open to discussing certain limitations on its nuclear activities in exchange for the removal of sanctions; however, ceasing its enrichment program or relinquishing its stockpile of enriched uranium are part of “Iran’s red lines that cannot be negotiated” during the discussions.

He stated that issues would become more transparent during the discussions on Sunday, which were originally scheduled for May 3 in Rome but were delayed due to what Oman referred to as “logistical reasons.”

Furthermore, Iran has unequivocally dismissed any discussions regarding its ballistic missile program, and the clerical leadership insists on solid assurances that Trump would not abandon a nuclear agreement again.