Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai

Dubai, May 11: Top Iranian and U.S. negotiators are set to reconvene on Sunday in Muscat in a fresh bid to resolve long-standing disputes over Iran’s nuclear programme, even as tensions mount ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East.

The fourth round of indirect talks, mediated by Oman, brings Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff face to face amid an increasingly combative public posture by Washington.

While both sides have publicly stated their preference for diplomacy, fundamental disagreements persist. Witkoff reiterated the U.S.’s hardline position in a Thursday interview, insisting that a new deal must include “no enrichment. That means dismantlement, no weaponization,” referencing Iran’s key nuclear sites at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan.

"If they are not productive on Sunday, then they won't continue and we'll have to take a different route,” Witkoff warned, alluding to the possibility of abandoning the diplomatic track altogether.

The timing of the talks is critical, as Trump prepares to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE from May 13–16, in a tour likely to feature Iran’s nuclear ambitions prominently.

Reacting to Witkoff's comments, Araqchi responded sharply on Saturday: “Iran will not back down from any of its rights,” reaffirming Tehran’s position that any final agreement must respect its ability to enrich uranium and maintain its nuclear facilities.

Tehran has indicated a willingness to accept some restrictions in exchange for lifting U.S.-imposed sanctions, but has firmly ruled out giving up its enriched uranium stockpile or dismantling its nuclear infrastructure. Iran’s missile programme also remains off the table, officials say.

A senior Iranian negotiator, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “What the U.S. says publicly differs from what is said in negotiations.” The official emphasized that Sunday’s session, delayed from its original May 3 date due to “logistical reasons,” would be pivotal.

Tensions have escalated since Trump resumed his "maximum pressure" campaign in February, following the collapse of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which he unilaterally exited in 2018. Since then, Iran has significantly ramped up uranium enrichment to levels close to weapons-grade, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The outcome of Sunday’s talks could mark a turning point in the region — either paving the way for a new understanding or inching both nations closer to confrontation.