Araghchi: Oman’s proposed solutions could be ‘helpful’ in US talks
Negotiations ‘too complicated’ but on ‘reasonable path’
Iran’s foreign minister said on Friday that Oman had suggested solutions that could be helpful in nuclear negotiations between Iran and the US as the two countries concluded their fifth round of talks in Rome.
Speaking with Iran’s state TV shortly after the end of negotiations, Abbas Araghchi described the Friday’s talks as one of the “most professional rounds of negotiations” which are aimed at resolving a longstanding dispute on Iran’s nuclear program.
Araghchi, who leads the Iranian negotiating team in the talks mediated by Oman, said that Iran’s delegation once again declared the positions and principles of Iran regarding the negotiations.
“Our positions are completely clear and we firmly stand by them. We now think that there is a better understanding of these positions on the American side”, he added.
The Iranian foreign minister said that Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi presented some proposals aimed at removing obstacles and paving the way for progress in the negotiations, adding that it was agreed that further expert work would be carried out by both sides on the solutions and will be conveyed to the respective capitals.
He noted that Tehran and Washington would present their views on the proposals and then the next round of negotiations will be arranged.
Iran’s top diplomat expressed hope that in the next round of talks, Tehran and Washington will be able to go into some detail.
‘Complicated negotiations’
"The negotiations are too complicated to be resolved in two or three meetings," said Araghchi. “But the fact that we’re now on a reasonable path, in my view, is a step forward in itself.”
Oman’s foreign minister said on X that the fifth round of negotiations concluded “with some but not conclusive progress," adding that he hoped "the remaining issues" will be clarified in the coming days.
The fourth round of talks, in the Omani capital Muscat, ended with a public spat over Iran’s uranium enrichment.
US top negotiator Steve Witkoff said Washington "could not authorize even one percent" enrichment – a position Tehran called a red line, citing its rights under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Ahead of Friday's talks, Araghchi said "fundamental differences" remained with the US, while adding that Tehran was open to its nuclear sites undergoing more inspections.
"We will not have an agreement at all" if the US wants to prevent Iran from enriching uranium, he said.
The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) says the country's nuclear industry employs 17,000 people, similar to other countries where uranium is enriched for civilian use.
"The Netherlands, Belgium, South Korea, Brazil and Japan enrich (uranium) without possessing nuclear weapons," AEOI spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said.
US President Donald Trump has threatened Iran with military attack if no agreement is reached.