Overview
- The fourth cycle of indirect nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran commenced on May 11 in Muscat, Oman, under Omani mediation.
- The U.S. delegation is led by envoy Steve Witkoff, while Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi heads the Iranian team.
- Key sticking points include Iran's insistence on its right to peaceful uranium enrichment and U.S. demands for dismantling key nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordo, and Isfahan.
- The talks aim to forge a new agreement to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons in exchange for lifting crippling U.S. sanctions.
- U.S. Vice President JD Vance has expressed cautious optimism, describing the negotiations as being 'on the right track,' though no breakthroughs have been reported yet.