US-Iran Nuclear Talks Show Partial Progress, Mediator Oman Says/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Oman says Iran and the U.S. have made “some but not conclusive progress” in nuclear negotiations in Rome. Talks focus on halting uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief. Despite tough rhetoric, both sides remain engaged and hope for further progress.
Iran-US Nuclear Talks + Quick Looks
- Fifth round of nuclear talks held in Rome, mediated by Oman.
- Omani FM: “Some but not conclusive progress” made in negotiations.
- Key sticking point: uranium enrichment in Iran, U.S. demands halt.
- U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff leads delegation, calls talks “constructive.”
- Iran open to further dialogue, but insists enrichment must continue.
- Trump threatens airstrikes if no deal, tensions remain high.
- Israel threatens unilateral action, Iran warns of retaliation.
- Iran faces domestic unrest, economic strain, and regional setbacks.
US-Iran Nuclear Talks Show Partial Progress, Mediator Oman Says
Deep Look
ROME — A fifth round of sensitive nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran ended Friday with “some but not conclusive progress,” according to Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who is serving as the talks’ mediator.
Speaking after the meetings, held in the Omani Embassy in Rome, al-Busaidi said both nations had clarified positions, signaling willingness to continue efforts toward a “sustainable and honourable agreement.”
“We hope to clarify the remaining issues in the coming days,” al-Busaidi wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state TV that proposals had been exchanged, but nothing binding was decided. He stressed that the talks were “complex” and would require further rounds.
“We are not there yet, but we are not discouraged either,” he said.
Uranium Enrichment Remains Core Issue
At the heart of the impasse is the question of uranium enrichment. The U.S. delegation, led by Steve Witkoff and Michael Anton of the State Department, initially suggested allowing limited enrichment at 3.67% — a threshold established under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. But recent American positions reportedly demand a full stop to enrichment on Iranian soil.
That shift has heightened tensions. Iran maintains that its enrichment program is non-negotiable and vital for peaceful purposes. The U.S. and its allies worry the stockpile of near-weapons-grade uranium could shorten Iran’s “breakout time” — the period needed to build a nuclear weapon — to less than one week, according to a recent U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency report.
Still, experts suggest it would take Iran months to construct a deliverable weapon, even with sufficient uranium.
Possible Alternatives on the Table
One workaround discussed is a regional uranium consortium, backed by the U.S. and Gulf allies, where Iran would receive low-enriched uranium from a third-party source. However, Tehran has rejected such arrangements before — including a fuel-swap proposal in 2010 — insisting that enrichment must happen inside Iran.
The International Atomic Energy Agency and several countries have offered peaceful-use fuel options, but they’ve yet to gain traction in these latest talks.
Regional Tensions Add Pressure
Beyond the negotiation table, the threat of Israeli military action looms. Israel has repeatedly vowed to take out Iran’s nuclear sites if diplomacy fails. In response, Iran staged a human chain protest at its Fordo enrichment site, a hardened facility buried in a mountain.
“We will take special measures to defend our nuclear facilities,” Araghchi warned, calling any Israeli attack “a red line” and accusing the U.S. of complicity if it occurs.
Meanwhile, U.S. officials remain cautiously optimistic. A senior American official speaking on background said the talks remain “constructive,” despite the gaps.
Why Iran Needs a Deal Now
Despite Iran’s defiant tone, the country is under significant pressure to strike a deal. Its economy is fragile, with the rial plunging past 1 million to the U.S. dollar earlier this year. Protests over hijab laws and rumors of gasoline price hikes threaten further unrest.
The so-called “Axis of Resistance”—Iran’s network of regional allies—is also crumbling. The collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December and Israel’s continued targeting of Iranian-linked militias during the Gaza conflict have weakened Iran’s influence.
The Trump administration continues to tighten sanctions, including this week’s targeting of sodium perchlorate imports, a chemical allegedly used in Iran’s missile program. A shipment arriving at Shahid Rajaei port in April was followed by a deadly explosion, which killed dozens and wounded over 1,000.
What’s Next?
Judge by the rhetoric, the U.S. and Iran remain far apart. But the fact that five rounds of talks have been held — and that both sides are committed to continuing — suggests diplomacy is still viable, if fragile.
Further negotiations are expected in the coming weeks, potentially offering more clarity on whether a resolution can be reached—or whether the crisis will deepen.
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