US-Iran Nuclear Talks Postponed, Oman Announces Delay/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Scheduled nuclear talks between the United States and Iran were postponed this weekend, according to an announcement from Oman. While Tehran expressed continued interest in reaching a deal, the U.S. had not confirmed attendance. The delay occurs amid regional instability and escalating rhetoric between Washington and Tehran.
US-Iran Nuclear Talks Postponed, Oman Announces Delay: Quick Looks
- Oman says US-Iran nuclear talks postponed for logistical reasons
- Tehran says it remains committed to a fair, lasting nuclear deal
- U.S. had not officially confirmed participation in this round
- Talks aim to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief
- Vatican conclave in Rome may have complicated scheduling
- Trump threatens airstrikes if no nuclear agreement is reached
- Iran edges closer to weapons-grade uranium enrichment
- Ongoing U.S. airstrikes target Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen
Deep Look: US-Iran Nuclear Talks Delayed as Tensions Simmer in Region
DUBAI, UAE — A new round of nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran, initially scheduled for this weekend, has been postponed, Oman’s Foreign Ministry confirmed Thursday. The delay highlights the fragile nature of backchannel diplomacy between two longtime adversaries amid rising regional tensions.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who has served as a mediator for previous sessions, made the announcement on the social platform X:
“For logistical reasons we are rescheduling the US Iran meeting provisionally planned for Saturday May 3rd. New dates will be announced when mutually agreed.”
Al-Busaidi offered no additional explanation, but Iran later echoed the statement, suggesting the postponement was made at Oman’s request.
Iran Reaffirms Commitment to Negotiations
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei emphasized Tehran’s ongoing support for a “fair and lasting agreement.” The statement follows concerns that progress on curbing Iran’s nuclear advancements could be unraveling due to lack of engagement.
Despite the postponement, a U.S. source familiar with the negotiations said the United States had never formally confirmed participation in the fourth round, which was expected to be held in Rome. The individual, speaking anonymously, suggested that talks are still likely to proceed “in the near future.”
Previous rounds of indirect negotiations were held in Muscat, Oman, but Rome had been proposed as the next venue. However, Vatican preparations for a conclave following Pope Francis’s death may have interfered with logistics.
What’s at Stake: Nuclear Limits for Sanctions Relief
The talks aim to revive constraints on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for partial relief from U.S. sanctions, which have severely impacted Iran’s economy. The negotiations are led by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff.
Tensions over the nuclear issue have steadily escalated since former President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement in 2018. That withdrawal triggered a series of hostile incidents, sabotage attacks, and regional instability.
Iran is now believed to be enriching uranium close to weapons-grade levels, with Western officials warning that its “breakout time” — the period needed to produce a nuclear weapon — has significantly decreased.
Trump, currently in his second term, has threatened airstrikes if Iran refuses to negotiate or violates international limits.
“If they don’t want to talk, they’ll understand what we mean soon enough,” Trump said earlier this year.
Regional Conflicts Further Strain Talks
The delay comes amid heightened military activity in the region, particularly the U.S.-led “Operation Rough Rider” — a series of airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran.
On Thursday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a stern warning directed at Tehran:
“We see your lethal support to the Houthis. You were warned. You will pay the consequence at the time and place of our choosing.”
This follows reports of continued weapons transfers and drone activity linked to Iran.
Additionally, just days before the now-delayed talks, an explosion at an Iranian port killed at least 70 people and injured over 1,000 — another destabilizing factor for negotiations.
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