Iran and the United States held a fourth round of negotiations on Sunday in Muscat, Oman. The talks lasted for about three hours, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, who described them as "difficult but useful."
Baghaei also stated that a decision on whether to hold another round is still being discussed. However, a US official, speaking anonymously, indicated that an agreement had been reached to continue discussions on technical elements. The official expressed optimism, stating, "We are encouraged by today’s outcome and look forward to our next meeting, which will happen in the near future," without providing details on timing or location.
Objectives of the Negotiations
The negotiations aim to:
- Limit Iran’s nuclear program.
- Lift some economic sanctions imposed by Washington following its withdrawal from the 2015 landmark deal aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Tehran insists it wants guarantees from Washington that it will not attack its nuclear sites before agreeing to any deal. However, neither side seems willing to make significant concessions, despite growing international concern over Iran’s rapid progress towards developing atomic bombs.
Rising Tensions
President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened airstrikes against Iranian targets if no agreement is reached. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned last month that he would take action himself if necessary.
The latest round of talks occurred amid rising tensions between arch-enemies Israel and Hamas militants controlling Gaza, following a weeks-long conflict that left thousands dead. Israel accuses Iran of providing military support worth billions of dollars annually via the Syria border crossing into the Gaza Strip, where Hamas fighters have fired rockets deep into the Tel Aviv area during earlier fighting this year.
Related Developments
- Israel has struck dozens of targets across the Gaza Strip overnight after rocket fire hit southern Israel earlier this week.
- A senior Israeli military officer reported that more than 40 rockets were fired into southern Israel over the past two days.
- Israeli forces responded with airstrikes against militant sites across the Gaza Strip overnight from Saturday to Sunday.
- Hamas has claimed responsibility for the rocket fire into southern Israel.
- The Gaza health ministry reported that five Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes overnight from Saturday to Sunday.
- The Palestinian president has called for calm amid escalating violence between Israelis and Palestinians.
- The Egyptian intelligence chief visited Cairo ahead of a planned visit by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas later this week.
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