Fourth round of talks held between the US and Iran

Muscat, the capital of Oman, hosted the fourth round of ongoing indirect nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran. The diplomatic talks, held with the mediation of Oman, concluded with the participation of high-level officials.

However, neither side has provided any information to the public regarding the content or the outcome of the talks so far.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS

Diplomatic contacts between the US and Iran began in March with a letter sent by former US President Donald Trump to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In his letter, Trump called for direct nuclear negotiations while also using some threatening language. Iran conveyed its response to this letter through Oman.

Following this exchange of letters, the parties met for the first time in Muscat on April 12, after which the talks continued in Rome and again in Muscat. Both the Tehran and Washington administrations had given positive signals that the process was progressing.

POSTPONED ROME MEETING MOVED TO MUSCAT

The fourth round, originally planned to be held in Rome on May 3, was postponed due to "logistical reasons." May 11 was set as the new date for the talks, and the meeting was moved back to Muscat.

WHAT IS IRAN'S DEMAND?

The Tehran administration agrees to limit its nuclear program to a level that would prevent the production of an atomic bomb; in return, it demands the lifting of economic sanctions imposed on the country.

In the previous process, US officials had stated that they were open to Iran enriching uranium at low levels. However, the Washington administration has recently hardened its position.

WASHINGTON'S RED LINE

Steve Witkoff, the special envoy of former US President Trump, stated in a recent interview that they find any level of uranium enrichment activity by Iran to be unacceptable. Witkoff remarked, "There should never be a uranium enrichment program in Iran. This is the US's red line."