Senior US and Iranian officials convened in Oman on Saturday, April 12, 2026, for a new round of indirect negotiations aimed at resolving the long-standing dispute over Iran's nuclear program. The talks, facilitated by Omani mediators, represent a significant diplomatic effort to reduce tensions between Washington and Tehran.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff led the American delegation, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi represented Tehran. The two sides did not meet face to face, with Omani officials shuttling between the delegations โ a format consistent with previous rounds of indirect engagement between the two countries.
The talks come amid heightened pressure from the Trump administration, which has threatened to reimpose maximum economic sanctions and has not ruled out military action if diplomacy fails. Iran, for its part, has insisted that any agreement must guarantee its right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes, a red line that complicates reaching a final deal.
No breakthrough was announced following Saturday's session, though both sides described the atmosphere as constructive. Further rounds of talks are expected in the coming weeks. The outcome of these negotiations is being closely watched by US allies in the Middle East and Europe, as well as by global energy markets sensitive to any escalation involving Iran.
