US-Iran negotiations in Muscat: Discussing the nuclear issue and lifting sanctions
Iranian state media reported that a new round of anticipated negotiations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States will be held next Friday in the Omani capital, Muscat, in a new effort to break the deadlock surrounding the nuclear issue and economic sanctions.
The Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington are scheduled to begin Friday in Muscat, noting that the agenda for these talks will be limited exclusively to the nuclear issue and ways to lift the sanctions imposed on Iran. The Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) confirmed this report, lending a sense of seriousness to this new round of diplomacy.
Oman's role: A trusted mediator in complex crises
Oman's hosting of these talks is not a mere coincidence, but rather a continuation of Muscat's historical and pivotal role as the "Switzerland of the Middle East." Thanks to its balanced foreign policy, the Sultanate has consistently acted as an impartial mediator between Tehran and the West. Omani diplomacy was instrumental in hosting the secret talks that paved the way for the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action). Under Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Muscat continues to pursue this same diplomatic path to bridge divides and de-escalate tensions in the region.
Background to the nuclear issue and the political deadlock
These talks come at a critical juncture for the nuclear agreement, which has been virtually paralyzed since the United States unilaterally withdrew from it in 2018 and reimposed crippling sanctions on Tehran. In response, Iran has increased its uranium enrichment levels and reduced its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Through these indirect rounds of negotiations, the international parties are seeking a compromise formula that would allow Washington to rejoin the agreement in exchange for Tehran's full compliance with its nuclear provisions—a policy known as "step-for-step.".
The importance of the talks and their regional and international impact
This round of negotiations is of paramount importance given the tense regional circumstances in the Middle East. Even partial success in these talks could positively impact regional stability and contribute to de-escalation in other contentious issues. Economically, global markets, particularly the oil market, are awaiting any signs of a breakthrough that might lead to the official return of Iranian oil to the market, which could affect global prices. Domestically, for Iran, lifting sanctions is a top priority for improving the economic and living conditions of its citizens.
