Iranian and US negotiators wrapped up a fifth round of talks on Friday, with mediator Oman saying there was some limited progress in negotiations aimed at resolving a decades-long dispute over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Despite both Washington and Tehran taking a tough stance in public ahead of the talks on Iran’s uranium enrichment, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said there was potential for progress after Oman made several proposals during the negotiations in Rome.
“We have just completed one of the most professional rounds of talks … We firmly stated Iran’s position … The fact that we are now on a reasonable path, in my view, is itself a sign of progress,” Araqchi told state TV.
“The proposals and solutions will be reviewed in respective capitals … and the next round of talks will be scheduled accordingly.”
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said on X that the talks between Araqchi and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff had ended “with some but not conclusive progress”.
Among remaining stumbling blocks are Tehran’s refusal to ship abroad its entire stockpile of highly enriched uranium – possible raw material for nuclear bombs – or engage in discussions over its ballistic missile programme.
