No breakthrough in Iran-US nuclear talks, but room for progress

Talks between Iran and the United States on Friday, May 23, 2025, concerning Iran’s right to enrich uranium on its own soil have concluded with no breakthrough, but also without the feared breakdown in dialogue.

The discussions, according to The Guardian, held indirectly through Omani mediation in Rome, ended on a cautious note.

Both parties reportedly acknowledged the complexity of the issues at hand and expressed some hope for future progress.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated that while the discussions were highly complex, further meetings might yield progress.

Speaking late on Friday, he stated, “I hope that in the next one or two meetings we can reach solutions that will allow the negotiations to progress.

“With Oman’s solutions to remove obstacles, there is a possibility of progress, but the negotiations are too complex to be resolved in one or two meetings,” he added.

Oman’s foreign ministry echoed this cautiously optimistic tone, issuing a statement that expressed a desire to resolve the remaining issues soon in order to reach “a sustainable and honourable agreement.”

Despite the lack of immediate breakthroughs, the tone from both mediators and participants suggested a willingness to continue negotiations.

These talks come at a time of heightened tension, as Israel continues to threaten potential military action against Iranian nuclear facilities.

Israel accuses Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapons program under the guise of civilian nuclear development.

Iran, however, insists that its program is purely for peaceful purposes.

It also maintains that it has the right to enrich uranium as a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Iran has proposed limits on the quantity and purity of its enriched uranium.

However, it insists on its sovereign right to conduct enrichment domestically.

This position directly contr.adicts the U.S. stance, which before the talks described any domestic enrichment by Iran as a red line.

These fundamental differences had led observers to worry that this fifth round of negotiations might collapse entirely, potentially destabilizing the region further.

Interestingly, Gulf states, including some of Washington’s closest allies, have communicated to former U.S. President Donald Trump.

They say that they do not want to see another Middle East conflict sparked by an Israeli strike on Iran.

Trump, in turn, has shown a surprising openness to reaching a deal with Tehran.

This indicates a possible shift in strategy or at least a pragmatic approach to avoiding military escalation.

Oman did not announce a date for the next round of discussions, but the general consensus pointed towards continued dialogue.

Oman’s foreign minister, Badr Albusaidi, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that there had been “some but not conclusive progress.”

It suggested that while no breakthroughs occurred, the talks had not stalled entirely.

Meanwhile, countries such as the United Arab Emirates have proposed that Iran adopt a similar model.

UAE operates a civilian nuclear program using imported uranium.

However, Iran argues that its situation is unique due to the significant economic sacrifices it has made under U.S. sanctions to develop its nuclear infrastructure.

Iranian officials believe it is unfair to be denied a right that other NPT signatories enjoy.

According to them, this is especially while Israel, which has not declared its nuclear weapons program, faces no such scrutiny from the U.S.

To help bridge the divide, some mediators have proposed that Iran agree to a temporary halt in enrichment.

In the alternative, they propose that Iran explore the creation of a civil nuclear consortium with regional powers like Saudi Arabia.

Such an arrangement could provide greater transparency and regional oversight, potentially easing concerns about the true nature of Iran’s program.

The talks took an unusual turn when Steve Witkoff, the U.S. chief negotiator, left the session early for reasons that were not immediately disclosed.

Unlike Iran, the U.S. did not issue a public statement following the meeting.

Prior to the talks, Witkoff met with senior Israeli officials, including the head of Mossad, David Barnea.

The meeting continued a pattern of close U.S.-Israeli coordination on Iranian nuclear negotiations.

Though unresolved, the continuation of dialogue offers a fragile but important opportunity for diplomatic resolution.

Both sides remain publicly committed to their positions.

However, the involvement of regional powers and the threat of wider conflict may still push them toward compromise in future rounds.

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