US says latest round of nuclear talks with Iran were 'encouraging'

A fourth round of talks between the US and Iran over Tehran's nuclear program has taken place in Oman, with both sides agreeing to meet again.

US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said the discussions in Muscat were encouraging, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described them as "difficult but useful", foreign media wrote, according to the Telegraph.

The US has insisted that Iran must give up uranium enrichment to prevent the country from developing nuclear weapons, but Tehran denies it has such a goal and on Sunday stressed again that it has no intention of giving up the program.

Donald Trump withdrew from a previous nuclear deal between Iran and five other world powers in 2018.

He previously warned of possible military action against Iran's nuclear facilities if the new round of talks, which began in April, fails.

Two previous rounds of negotiations were held in Muscat, with one taking place at the Omani embassy in Rome.

A senior US official said the final discussions lasted more than three hours, adding: "An agreement was reached to move forward with the talks to continue working through the technical elements."

"We are encouraged by today's result and look forward to our next meeting, which will take place in the near future."

Speaking to Iranian state television, Araghchi said the talks had been "more serious and more direct" than on previous occasions.

"Both sides now have a better understanding of each other's positions. We can characterize today's talks as a step forward."

But Araghchi said that "the contradictory positions taken by the US in the media are not acceptable to us as they do not help the negotiations."

The talks took place in the same week that Witkoff said in an interview with US media that the US expects Iran to "dismantle its uranium enrichment activities".

Araghchi stressed: "Enrichment is an issue that Iran will not give up and there is no room for compromise on it. However, its dimensions, levels or quantities may change for a period to allow for confidence building."

Iran insists that its nuclear activities are entirely peaceful and that it will never seek to develop or acquire nuclear weapons.Telegraph/