• The fourth round of US-Iran nuclear talks scheduled in Rome has been postponed for logistical reasons.
• President Donald Trump threatened sanctions against buyers of Iranian oil following the postponement.
• Iran asserts that US sanctions hinder diplomatic solutions to the nuclear dispute.
• Negotiations aim to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for lifting economic sanctions.

The fourth round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran, which was scheduled to take place in Rome on May 3, has been postponed due to "logistical reasons," as announced by Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi on social media. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei also confirmed the postponement, asserting Iran's commitment to achieving a "fair and lasting agreement" amidst ongoing tensions with the US, which has threatened military action if negotiations fail, according to Reuters, BBC, and The Hill.

In a related development, President Trump issued a stark warning that anyone engaging in purchases of Iranian oil or petrochemical products would face sanctions, emphasizing that they would not be allowed to conduct business with the United States. This warning came after a week of fresh sanctions against Iranian-linked entities, indicating a continuation of the US 'maximum pressure' campaign against Tehran. The sanctions have raised concerns over the future of the negotiations, which seek to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for lifting economic restrictions, according to HuffPost, Dawn, and India Times.

Iranian officials expressed that the US sanctions have hindered diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing nuclear dispute, with one senior official stating that the next round of talks would be determined by the US's future actions. This sentiment was echoed amid reports of "contradictory behavior and provocative statements" from the US regarding Iran's involvement in the region, particularly its support for the Houthis in Yemen, according to Al Jazeera and TRT Global.

Negociations have been ongoing since early April, with meetings facilitated by Oman, yet frustrations have mounted as new sanctions were introduced by the US who accuse Iran of fueling instability in the region. The stakes are particularly high, as Iran has significantly exceeded the limits imposed under the 2015 nuclear agreement from which the US withdrew in 2018. The potential for a return to diplomatic negotiations remains delicate as both sides navigate their complex relationship, according to Reuters, Dawn, and The Hill.