No Clear Progress at Third Session of U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks, Next Round Scheduled

Latest Developments

• Talks Continue: A third round of negotiations between the United States and Iran over the future of Tehran’s nuclear program took place on April 26 in Muscat, the capital of Oman. The technical talks, mediated by Oman, lasted several hours between delegations led by White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Iran’s top diplomat said that the “presence of experts” in Saturday’s discussions “was very useful.” The negotiations followed two previous rounds of talks in Rome on April 19 and Oman on April 12.
•  Omani Foreign Minister Offers Comments: Following the talks,Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi stated that the negotiations “identified a shared aspiration to reach an agreement based on mutual respect and enduring commitments,” noting that “core principles, objectives, and technical concerns were all addressed.” Albusaidi also announced that a fourth round of talks will take place on May 3.
• Demands on the Table: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on April 23 that the United States is open to Iran having a civilian nuclear program provided it abandons domestic uranium enrichment. “There’s a pathway to a civil, peaceful nuclear program if they want one,” Rubio Said, “but if they insist on enriching, then they will be the only country in the world that doesn’t have a weapons program but is ‘enriching’ — that’s problematic.” Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, speaking in Oman, reaffirmed Tehran’s position that, “Iran remains steadfast … on the need to end unjust sanctions and is ready to build confidence about the peaceful nature of its nuclear program.”

FDD Expert Response

“The key test for whether the talks are going in the right direction: did the U.S. team stick to its original demand for Iran’s full, verified, and permanent nuclear disarmament, including of Tehran’s fuel production, weaponization, and missile delivery work? Any domestic Iranian enrichment, matched with remaining centrifuges and infrastructure, means the regime retains the ability to fuel nuclear weapons at any time.” — Andrea Stricker, Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program Deputy Director and Research Fellow

“Washington’s relative silence compared to Tehran’s full court diplomatic press after each round of nuclear negotiations has permitted the regime to spin the continuation of talks as a political victory for the Islamic Republic, when the mere fact that Tehran has been forced to talk to Trump is a major win for Washington. Worse, the less clear the U.S. position going into talks is, the more the impression that Washington is making the same sorts of fundamental concessions on enrichment that begot the JPOA and JCPOA nuclear deals.” — Behnam Ben Taleblu, Iran Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow

“The White House must make it clear in negotiations that dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program is an essential element of any agreement. If enrichment is allowed to continue, other regional actors will demand the same of the White House or look to Russia for nuclear development. Additionally, the talks come on the eve of President Trump’s planned visit to the Middle East in May with destinations including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. Reports have indicated President Trump is interested in a major deal with Saudi Arabia that may include domestic enrichment for the Kingdom.” — Tyler Stapleton, Director of Congressional Relations at FDD Action

FDD Background and Analysis

“The Iranian Negotiating Tactic the Trump Administration Doesn’t Get,” by Reuel Marc Gerecht and Ray Takeyh

“U.S. and Iran Hold Second Round of Nuclear Talks in Rome,” FDD Flash Brief

“FAQ: What Should Be Washington’s Position on Iran’s Nuclear Dismantlement?” by Andrea Stricker and Janatan Sayeh

“Iran’s Nuclear Disarmament,” by Orde Kittrie, Andrea Stricker, and Behnam Ben Taleblu