The second round of Omani-mediated talks took place in Rome on April 19, 2025, again with indirect discussions between Witkoff and Araghchi.[7] This was followed by indirect expert-level meetings in Muscat to develop a framework for a possible nuclear agreement,[8] led by Michael Anton for the U.S. and by Majid Takht-Ravanchi for Iran.[9][10]
The US military has been building up its presence in the Middle East as the threat of war escalates. US bases throughout the region accommodate approximately 50,000 American troops.[11][12][13] As part of the peace proposals, Iran offered to build at least 19 additional reactors, suggesting that contracts for these projects could help revive the struggling U.S. nuclear industry, Araghchi's speech anouncing this was cancelled by its venue Carnegie institute. During the talks Russians started funding construction of a nuclear reactor in Iran.[14][15][16]
Issues
The Iranian parliament is kept in the dark on negotiations.[17]
Marco Rubio has said Iran can have a civilian nuclear energy program instead of a military WMD atomic weapons program.[18] On April 23 Iran was reported to be building air defenses against missile attack.[19][20]Times of Oman reported Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi was taped while he stole a gold pen during talks. The Iranian regime demanded an apology from Oman Times.[21][22][23][24]
Pre-talk positions
In February 2025 Trump reinstated the "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran, aiming to compel Tehran to negotiate a new nuclear agreement while preventing its development of nuclear weapons and countering its regional influence.[25] After making his letter to Khamenei public, Trump said that Iran "cannot have a nuclear weapon" and warned of possible military action if the talks failed.[26][27] Trump has said US military will preemptively attack Iranians should the negotiations collapse.[28]
Several news outlets have reported that prior to the talks, Iran had proposed a three-step plan for the United States to agree to a deal:
Iranians are given access to their funds blocked by sanctions in foreign banks. Iran will reduce enrichment to 3.67% uranium purity.
The United States should prevent European countries from triggering the snapback restoration of UN sanctions on the Iranian regime. Iran will ratify Non-Proliferation Treaty and stop high percentage nuclear enrichment.
A nuclear peace agreement is reached. Sanctions against Iran are lifted, and Iran transfers all enriched uranium to a third-party country.[29]
Iran had reportedly also proposed steps to deescalate tensions, including a pledge to disarm and freeze the activities of Hamas, the Houthis, Hezbollah, and Hashd al-Shaabi.[30]
Russia has denied any military assistance to Iran in the event of a U.S. military invasion, while asserting that such an invasion would ultimately fail.[31][32]
Participants
Trump has said he is open to meet Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.[33]
Steve Witkoff - White House special envoy leading the American side of the negotiations with Iran.
There are no European negotiators. France has claimed they would participate though they were missing[36].[37][38] According to the IAEA, Iran, Russia and China have simultaneously been holding joint nuclear talks during the talks also.[39]
During the talks Iran revamped its relationships with Saudi with Khamenei receiving the Saudi King letter and Saudi minister of Defense.[40][41]
Timeline
Iran-US negotiations for a deal have been ongoing since 1995.[42] A nuclear agreement was reached in 2015, from which Trump withdrew in 2018.[4] In the early administration before the talks, Iranians reported that Trump advisor Elon Musk had met Iranian envoy.[43] In January Musk helped helped free Italian journalist held hostage by Iranian regime.[44] In March Musk posted that he was reading The Persian Expedition.[45]
On March 7, 2025 Trump's letter to Iran was made public, expressing his desire to initiate new nuclear talks.[46] Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Eslami declared Iran plans to build more nuclear power plants.[47]
The first talks were held on April 12, 2025 in Oman, Muscat.[48] The talks were led by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi; each delegation was in separate rooms, with messages relayed through Omani mediators.[37][49][35][5] The discussions were described as constructive.[5] Afterwards, the leaders of both negotiating teams spoke briefly in person.[48]
The second round of Omani-mediated talks in Rome occurred on Saturday, April 19, 2025, one week after the initial meeting in Muscat, the capital of Oman in four hours.[7] Once again, the indirect discussions were led by Araghchi and Witkoff, with messages conveyed through Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi. To facilitate progress toward an agreement, are scheduled to commence in Oman on Wednesday. Experts from both parties will engage in discussions regarding the implementation of sanctions relief and its implications for Iran's nuclear program in Geneva.[7][51]
Trump’s special envoy, Witkoff, aims to finalize the deal within 60 days; however, he is likely to encounter resistance from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi due to the significant mistrust between the two parties. Another critical issue is Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and its potential destruction, for which the US would agree to lift economic sanctions. While Iran intends to retain its enriched uranium stockpile within its borders, the US insists on transferring it to a third country. Additionally, Iran seeks guarantees to protect itself in the event that the US withdraws from or violates the agreement.[7]
Reactions
Iranians
Before the talks Khamenei repeatedly called the talks unwise in several occasions in his speech he threatened American military with retaliation.[52][53] BBC reported that Araghchi stated he wanted to speak with Europeans in Berlin, Paris and London also.[54] Khamenei told his supporters not to protest and insult the talks and that the talks are just a delay until Islamic shiite state is established.[55]Iranian Rial slightly gained and Tehran Stock Exchange rose 2.16%.[56] Former Prince Reza Pahlavi called on the United States to take out the Iranian regime rather than talks.[57] Widespread speculations grew into Embassy of the United States, Tehran possibly handed over to US.[58]Kayhan London described the talks as major failure of the Iranian regime while the Iranian-based newspaper Kayhan claimed Iran has the upper hand.[59][60][61] The talks caused division and drift among members of ultra hard extremist Front of Islamic Revolution Stability party.[62] Iran charged two newspapers media executives for their coverage of the talks.[63]
US
Former chief negotiator state secretary Kerry commended Trump's effort and compared the negotiations to "Khomeini poisoned chalice".[64] Whitehouse Karoline Leavitt has stated that should Iran develop nukes there will be "all hell to pay".[65] On April 18 secretary of state Marco Rubio urged European countries to trigger the snapback mechanism of the 2015 nuclear deal, which had originally been scheduled for activation in October 2025.[66]Secretary of defensePete Hegseth and national security advisorMike Waltz are reportedly divided on whether US military should attack Iran.[67] Trump told reporters he is in no rush to attack Iran and it still has a chance to "live happily without death".[68]
Former special representative for Iran Elliott Abrams argued that Trump does not seek war. However, should the talks fail, Iran’s nuclear program should be destroyed by Israel and/or the US.[69] Policital commentator Tucker Carlson argued this to be the worst time for US military intervention in Iran.[70]
Global
Initialy oil futures prices dropped 1.4%.[71]Saudi Arabia commended negotiations to restrain Iran more.[72] Israel supported deweaponization of Iranian atomic energy establishments Libya model like that of Disarmament of Libya.[73] Trump revealed Israel would lead attack on Iranian nuclear establishments.[74]Farnaz Fassihi of New York Times reported Khamenei wanted to come to negotiations after his advisors insisted upon it.[75]
Al Monitor reported the Chinese have also came to support Iranian regime through strengthened relations.[76][77]
Although the relationship between IAEA director Rafael Grossi and Trump's negotiating team is unclear, Grossi is scheduled to visit Iran in the third week of April 2025.[6] Iranian military advisor and security council politician Shamkhani has warned Iran will throw out IAEA inspectors.[78]
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Al Alam Palace Muscat, Oman 
Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Rome, Italy 
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff 
Minister of foreign relations Abbas Araghchi 
