U.S.-Iran talks postponed, says Omani minister

Oman’s foreign minister announced on Thursday that continued nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran have been postponed.

The minister, Badr al-Busaidi, announced the delay on X but didn’t say why.

“For logistical reasons we are rescheduling the US Iran meeting provisionally planned for Saturday May 3rd,” he wrote on X. “New dates will be announced when mutually agreed.”

The next round of negotiations, focused on the possible easing of U.S. sanctions on Iran in exchange for limits on its nuclear program, was expected to occur in Rome.

Iran provided more details on the postponement through its Foreign Ministry. Spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Oman requested a delay in talks and Tehran agreed. He added that the Islamic Republic is dedicated to continued negotiations. 

Reports also suggest that U.S. officials never confirmed participation in the next round of talks. The Americans offered a similar statement the last time negotiations were set to take place in Rome, arguing that they had not officially agreed to another round.

This weekend’s negotiations would have been the fourth round of talks between U.S. and Iranian officials. Details from the negotiations have been scant, and both sides have maintained they won’t compromise in certain areas. 

The U.S. has doggedly maintained that Tehran should dismantle its nuclear program, with President Trump threatening to bomb Iran if negotiations should falter. 

“I want Iran to be great,” Trump said in April. “The only thing that they can’t have is a nuclear weapon. They understand that.”

In addition to bombing threats, U.S. forces are bombing Houthi rebels in Yemen in an attempt to stop the fighters’ attacks on commercial and military ships. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pointed to the Houthi strikes on Wednesday as evidence of what the U.S. military could do in Iran.

“We see your LETHAL support to The Houthis. We know exactly what you are doing,” he posted Wednesday on X. “You know very well what the U.S. Military is capable of — and you were warned. You will pay the CONSEQUENCE at the time and place of our choosing.”

America’s aggressive stance prompted a warning from Iran’s Foreign Ministry.

“The responsibility for the consequences and destructive effects of the contradictory behavior and provocative statements of American officials regarding Iran will lie with the American side,” Mr. Baghaei said Thursday, according to Iranian state media.