Tehran (TDI): Iran’s foreign ministry said on Thursday that the fourth round of nuclear negotiations with the United States has been postponed, after mediator Oman cited “logistical reasons” for the delay.
Iran and US were scheduled to meet for a fourth round of talks tomorrow in Rome, after the two sides reported progress in previous rounds.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said in a statement that the upcoming round of indirect Iran-US negotiations, which were set to be held in Rome tomorrow, has been delayed.
He said that the postponement was based on Oman’s proposal and that the next possible date will be announced later.
Earlier, Oman’s top diplomat Badr Albusaidi said that the talks were being postponed due to “logistical reasons”.
He stated that due to logistical reasons, US-Iran meeting which was scheduled for Saturday was being delayed. New dates will be unveiled when the parties are agreed.
Reuters reported citing a source familiar with the negotiations that Washington never confirmed its participation in the fourth round meant for Saturday.
On Friday, Iranian diplomats were due to meet with representatives from Germany, UK, and France in Rome ahead of discussion with the US. It remains unclear whether these negotiations will be held as scheduled.
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The Iran-US meetings mediated by Oman, which started on April 12, have been the highest-level contact in years since US President Donald Trump abandoned a nuclear agreement with global powers in 2018.
Since returning to the White House, the President has revived his “maximum pressure” approach against Iran.
Read More: Iran Gives ‘Genuine Chance’ to Diplomacy with US
In March, he sent a letter to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proposing negotiations but warning of a military action if diplomacy did not work.
Western nations including the US have long accused Tehran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons — a charge Iran has consistently denied, insisting that its program is for peaceful civilian purposes.
