Iran’s chief negotiator, Foreign Minister Araguchi and Trump’s Middle Eastern envoy Steve Witkov held the third round in Muscat, a week after the second round in Rome was described as constructive, about six hours through Omani intermediaries on Saturday. Experts from both countries also held technical meetings on the bystanders of the meeting.
A senior US administration official explained the talks and positive and productiveness, adding that both sides agreed to meet again “soon” in Europe, Reuters reported on Saturday.
“There’s still a lot to do, but there have been more progress in getting to the deal,” the official added.
Previous Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusady said the talks will continue next week, along with another “high-level meeting” scheduled for tentatively on May 3. Arakichi said Oman would announce the venue.
Prior to the leading negotiator meeting, indirect consultations at the expert level were held in Muscat to design a framework for potential nuclear deals.
“The presence of experts was beneficial… We will return to the capital and seek further reviews to see how we can reduce disagreements,” Araguchi said in an interview with National Iranian television after the speech.
An Iranian official told Reuters that expert-level negotiations were “difficult, complicated and serious.”
He said the sole purpose of these consultations was to “build confidence in the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.”
MNA