The third round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States began on Saturday in Muscat, capital of Oman, aiming for a breakthrough that could have major implications for regional and global security.
A successful agreement could lower the risk of another Middle East conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran, and curb Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. It could also potentially ease American sanctions on , maybe transforming its battered economy and reshaping its political outlook.
What’s happening in the current talks?
In the two rounds of discussions in and so far, the two sides said negotiations would be based on building trust and providing assurances regarding Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.
This round marks the start of the first “expert-level” talks between the Iranian and American teams.
On Friday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Muscat at the head of a high-ranking diplomatic, technical, and expert delegation. The top US negotiator, Steve Witkoff, landed on Saturday, accompanied by a team led by senior State Department official Michael Anton and experts from the Treasury Department.
These talks will focus on technical issues such as the monitoring of Iran’s nuclear facilities, uranium enrichment levels, the management of enriched uranium stockpiles, and the practicalities of easing US sanctions.
What’s at stake?
According to the , as of March 2025, Iran had amassed over 100 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity, just short of weapons-grade material. Nuclear weapons typically require uranium enriched to around 90%. If further enriched, Iran’s current stockpile could be used to make several bombs.
Iran maintains that is not for building weapons.
In recent months, that the United States would lead military action against Iran if negotiations fail to produce an agreement.
Tehran, for its part, and has hinted that it could withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) — a move that would heighten regional tensions and potentially prompt other countries to pursue programs.
Iran also controls the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, and has the military capability to target US military bases in the Gulf and the rest of the region — actions that could destabilize global energy markets and further disrupt world trade, which has already been strained by
Although Iran and its allies have suffered significant setbacks in Syria, Lebanon, and other parts of the Middle East, Tehran retains the ability to respond to military action, moves that could further escalate conflict across the region.
At the same time, Iran’s economy is reeling under the weight of sanctions, corruption, and mismanagement, and are hoping for a deal that could bring economic relief. Iran has seen periodic in recent years. Without a breakthrough, further political instability could be on the horizon.
How did we get here?
In 2015, Iran reached a landmark nuclear agreement with world powers, including the United States, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The deal limited Iran’s nuclear program and imposed strict monitoring in exchange for sanctions relief.
But withdrew from the deal in 2018 during his first presidency, criticizing it for being temporary and for failing to address Iran’s ballistic missile program. Trump’s administration reimposed sweeping sanctions, known as .
Iran has managed to partially circumvent sanctions by selling oil and gas through informal markets to countries such as China, India, and Malaysia. However, its economy — particularly industries and businesses outside the energy sector — has been severely damaged by sanctions and blacklisting from international banks.
In response, Iran gradually rolled back its compliance, ramping up uranium enrichment well beyond the 3.67% limit set under the 2015 accord.
Recent rounds of preliminary talks in Oman and Rome have been described as constructive, with Iran signaling a willingness to return to enrichment levels consistent with the JCPOA.
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,, has now authorized the talks and voiced support for the negotiating team.
Still, deep mistrust persists. Iranian negotiators have reportedly demanded guarantees that Washington will not abandon a future agreement, as it did in 2018.
What are the challenges?
Conflicting signals from US officials have created uncertainty about Washington’s position. Some American negotiators have floated the idea of allowing Iran limited uranium enrichment under strict international monitoring. Others, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, advocate for Iran to import enriched uranium rather than produce it domestically.
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has insisted on the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure — a demand Tehran has firmly rejected.
In an unexpected move, after the second round of negotiations in Rome, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi proposed allowing US investment in Iran’s civilian nuclear energy sector, including the construction of up to 19 new reactors, as a safeguard against weaponization.
President Trump has said any future deal with Iran “won’t be like the 2015 agreement” and promised it would be “different, and maybe a lot stronger.” However, he faces a balancing act: Toughening the deal enough to appease critics, including and Gulf Arab states, without derailing negotiations altogether.
The post Iran-US nuclear talks: What you need to know appeared first on Deutsche Welle.
