Iran, US to resume nuclear talks as red lines clash

11/5/2025 17:18

Top Iranian and U.S. negotiators will resume talks on Sunday to address disputes over Tehran's nuclear programme, in a push for progress as Washington hardens its stance ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East visit.



Though Tehran and Washington both have said they prefer diplomacy to resolve the decades-long dispute, they remain deeply divided on several red lines that negotiators will have to circumvent to reach a new nuclear deal and avert future military action.



Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will hold the fourth round of talks in Muscat through Omani mediators, despite Washington taking a tough stance in public that Iranian officials said would not help the negotiations.



Araqchi, before departing for Muscat, told Iranian state TV that "Iran has well-known positions based on clear principles... We hope to reach a decisive stance in Sunday's meeting". He added that Iran's expert team was in Oman and "will be consulted if necessary".



Witkoff told Breitbart News on Thursday that Washington's red line is: "No enrichment. That means dismantlement, no weaponization,” requiring the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan.



"If they are not productive on Sunday, then they won't continue and we'll have to take a different route,” Witkoff said about the talks.