WASHINGTON — U.S. and Iranian officials continued indirect nuclear negotiations this week amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, following months of military conflict and fragile ceasefires.
The latest round of talks, mediated by Oman and held in a European location, focused on Iran's nuclear program, according to diplomats familiar with the discussions. No agreement was reached, but both sides described the exchanges as ongoing, officials said on Thursday.
Negotiations first resumed in early 2026 after large-scale protests in Iran and a period of U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iranian targets in 2025. The talks aim to address limitations on Iran's uranium enrichment activities and sanctions relief, building on but diverging from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which the U.S. withdrew from in 2018.
Tensions escalated sharply in February 2026 when U.S. and Israeli forces conducted strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, prompting Iranian retaliation and a temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire was announced in April, but sporadic incidents have continued. U.S. officials have maintained a significant military presence in the region.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran is seeking a "nuclear peace agreement" while insisting on its right to peaceful nuclear technology. "We firmly stated Iran's position," Araghchi told state media after a previous round.
U.S. officials, including those close to President Donald Trump, have emphasized that any deal must prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, including demands for zero enrichment and verifiable dismantlement of certain capabilities. Iran has rejected permanent suspension of enrichment, according to reports citing U.S. negotiators.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has reported that Iran possesses substantial quantities of uranium enriched to near-weapons-grade levels, though details of current stockpiles remain under monitoring challenges following earlier disruptions.
Regional dynamics have complicated the diplomacy. Iran has warned of potential escalation "beyond the region" if attacks resume, while the U.S. has reiterated that all options remain available to counter nuclear threats.
As of Friday, diplomats indicated that further rounds are expected, though significant gaps persist on key issues including sanctions and verification mechanisms. Progress remains limited, officials from both sides acknowledged.
The talks come as the Middle East continues to grapple with repercussions from the 2025-2026 period of direct confrontations, which included damage to Iranian infrastructure and heightened alerts across the Gulf. No immediate breakthroughs were announced.
