3rd Round of Iran-US Nuclear Talks Ends, with Tehran Describing Negotiations ‘More Serious’

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A third round of high-level negotiations between U.S. and Iranian representatives about Tehran's nuclear programme ended in Rome on Saturday, 26 April 2025. The two sides held in-depth negotiations in Muscat, Oman, ending the discussions with a promise for more talks and perhaps another high-level meeting next weekend.

A person close to Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, acknowledged that the meeting had started and later ended. The source spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door talks. Iranian state television also reported their conclusion.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state television after the talks that the parties exchanged written points throughout the day in discussions that he described as “very serious and work-focused.”

"This time, the negotiations were much more serious than in the past, and we gradually entered into deeper and more detailed discussions,” he said. “We have moved somewhat away from broader, general discussions — though it is not the case that all disagreements have been resolved. Differences still exist both on major issues and on the details.”

A senior U.S. administration official said that the talks were “positive and productive.”

“This latest round of direct and indirect discussions lasted over four hours,” the official said on condition of anonymity to discuss the talks. “There is still much to do, but further progress was made on getting to a deal. We agreed to meet again soon, in Europe, and we thank our Omani partners for facilitating these talks.”

Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who has mediated the two previous round of talks in Muscat and Rome, offered a positive note at the end of Saturday’s negotiations.

Iran and the U.S. “identified a shared aspiration to reach agreement based on mutual respect and enduring commitments,” al-Busaidi posted on X. “Core principles, objectives and technical concerns were all addressed. Talks will continue next week with a further high level meeting provisionally scheduled for May 3.”

The two countries, currently in efforts to reach a deal, have had decades of animosity and long been in dispute about Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Washington wants Iran to stop production of highly enriched uranium, which it believes is aimed at building an atomic bomb. Iran this week doubled down on its right to enrich uranium, but has suggested it is willing to negotiate some compromises in return for sanctions relief to ease the pressure on its hard-hit economy.

They previously held two rounds of indirect talks through Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi. The first one was in Muscat, Oman, while the second round was in Rome, Italy.



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