Iran-US Negotiations ‘Constructive’; Push for Fourth Round This Weekend: Witkoff
Trump's regional envoy has described the indirect talks with Iran as "positive," indicating that efforts are in progress to advance the negotiations into another round this weekend.
Addressing an audience in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, Steve Witkoff expressed optimism, stating, “We are making some progress.”
The aim is to ensure progress is in the right direction. Trump is keen on finding a diplomatic resolution if feasible, and efforts are being intensified to advance this agenda.
An official has suggested that the negotiations, initially mediated by Oman in Muscat and subsequently taking place in Rome, may potentially continue into a fourth round.
The fourth round, originally set to take place in Rome on May 3, has been rescheduled.
Witkoff indicated that any postponement in the ongoing effort to proceed with the process would be attributed to Trump’s forthcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar scheduled for next week.
He emphasized that “Iran will not have a nuclear weapon,” a stance consistently upheld by the United States and its allies, contrary to the Islamic Republic’s persistent declarations that it neither seeks nor intends to develop or possess such arms, citing moral and religious principles.
Tehran’s nuclear program has been consistently verified as peaceful by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has never uncovered any evidence suggesting otherwise. The IAEA has subjected the country’s nuclear activities to the most comprehensive investigative scrutiny compared to any other member nation of the United Nations nuclear agency.
In addition to persisting with unsubstantiated claims, Washington and several of its allies, particularly during the Trump era, have intermittently called for the “total dismantlement” of Iran’s nuclear energy program. This demand was most recently reiterated by Trump during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Iran has firmly stated that it will continue enriching uranium domestically and insists on the removal of what it describes as illegal, unilateral, and oppressive U.S. sanctions as inviolable conditions in any negotiations.
The Islamic Republic has firmly dismissed the idea of including other issues, such as its defense capabilities and regional influence, in the diplomatic process.
Both parties have consistently characterized their discussions as overall productive, including the most recent round, which was described as a “constructive” progression.
