Fourth Round of Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Postponed Amid Rising Tensions
A fourth round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States has been postponed, according to Oman’s foreign minister, who is mediating the negotiations. The discussions, which were scheduled for Saturday in Rome, are being rescheduled due to “logistical reasons,” with a new date to be confirmed once all parties agree.
The delay follows escalating rhetoric from Washington. On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned that Iran would “pay the consequence” for its support of Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The U.S. also imposed new sanctions this week targeting companies allegedly linked to Tehran’s oil and petrochemical trade.
President Donald Trump, who withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal in 2018, has repeatedly vowed to negotiate what he calls a “better” agreement. He has also warned of possible military action if the renewed diplomatic efforts—underway since April—fail to produce results. The initial round of talks, held in Oman’s capital Muscat, was described by both sides as “constructive.”
Iran’s foreign ministry confirmed the postponement of the latest round, while the U.S. has not issued an official statement. However, an unnamed U.S. official told Reuters that Washington had “never confirmed” its participation in the Rome talks and that the meeting’s timing had not been finalized.
Despite the delay, analysts say it does not necessarily indicate a collapse in dialogue, as both Washington and Tehran are believed to be keen to avoid open conflict.
Still, skepticism is growing in Iran about the prospects for progress. Iranian media have pointed to recent sanctions and what they describe as contradictory messaging from the U.S. delegation.
The latest sanctions, part of Trump’s "maximum pressure" strategy, target entities accused of facilitating Iran’s illicit petroleum trade. In a statement, the U.S. State Department said: “The Iranian regime continues to fuel conflict in the Middle East, advance its nuclear program, and support its terrorist partners and proxies. Today, the United States is taking action to stem the flow of revenue that the regime uses to fund these destabilizing activities.”
In response, Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the new measures as evidence of Washington’s “contradictory behavior” and “lack of good faith.” g
Tensions have also been stoked by a social media post from Defense Secretary Hegseth, which was shared by Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, who is leading the U.S. negotiating team. “Message to IRAN: We see your LETHAL support to the Houthis. We know exactly what you are doing. You will pay the CONSEQUENCE at the time and place of our choosing,” Hegseth posted on X.
The Houthis, aligned with Tehran, have positioned themselves as part of an “axis of resistance” against the U.S., Israel, and Western allies, alongside Hamas and Hezbollah. The U.S. has launched multiple airstrikes against Houthi targets in recent months, responding to attacks on Red Sea shipping—operations the Houthis claim are in retaliation for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
President Trump has stated that he is seeking a solution that would block all avenues for Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. However, some members of his administration are advocating for a more aggressive stance—calling for the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program.
These officials are also pressuring Iran to end its support for regional proxy groups, including the Houthis in Yemen.
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful and insists on its right to enrich uranium. Tehran is aiming for a deal that would cap, but not eliminate, its nuclear activities in exchange for relief from economic sanctions.
Following Russia, Iran remains one of the most heavily sanctioned countries in the world, primarily due to measures imposed by the United States.
President Massoud Pezeshkian has made the lifting of these sanctions a cornerstone of his economic policy agenda.
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