Credited from: CHANNELNEWSASIA
The fourth round of indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran concluded on May 11 in Muscat, Oman, amid a complex standoff primarily revolving around Iran's uranium enrichment rights. Despite enduring tensions and no apparent breakthroughs, both parties signaled plans for continued discussions, which were mediated by Oman, following Trump's previous withdrawal from the landmark 2015 nuclear deal, according to AA.
During the talks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that uranium enrichment is "non-negotiable", emphasizing Iran’s commitment to maintaining this capability regardless of external pressures. He highlighted that while Iran can consider limitations to the amount and level of enrichment for confidence-building purposes, the principle itself remains uncompromised, as reported by Al Jazeera and Le Monde.
In stark contrast, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff reiterated America’s stance, declaring that "an enrichment program can never exist in the state of Iran ever again," marking it as a definitive red line for the US negotiations. This reversal in initial flexibility on the permissible level of enrichment has heightened tensions, further complicating the dialogue between the two nations, as detailed by Reuters and Newsweek.
Both Iran and the US have reported differing levels of progress from earlier rounds of discussions, with Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei labeling the dialogues as "difficult but useful." Meanwhile, further sanctions and pressure from the US continue to loom as a backdrop to the negotiations, sparking calls from Iran for relief through potential agreements, according to sources including India Times and SCMP.
As talks concluded, the region braced for a heightened diplomatic atmosphere, especially with President Trump’s upcoming Middle East visit, which many speculate could influence the negotiations' dynamics. Warnings about potential military actions against Iran remain on the table, indicating that the situation is both precarious and pivotal for future diplomatic relations, as highlighted by BBC.