Iran confirms 2nd round of nuclear talks with US to be held April 19 in Muscat

Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed late Monday that the next round of indirect nuclear talks with the United States will take place Saturday in Muscat, Oman.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei dismissed speculation about a potential change of venue, telling state-run news agency IRNA that “after consultations, it was decided that the Omani capital, also the venue for the first round last Saturday, will again serve as the venue for the next phase of negotiations.”

Reports earlier this week, including from U.S. media outlets, had suggested Rome might host the upcoming round.

The talks, mediated by Oman, mark the first engagement between Tehran and Washington following a prolonged diplomatic stalemate and rising tensions triggered by Donald Trump’s return to the presidency in January.

The Iranian delegation is led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with Deputy Foreign Ministers Majid Takht-Ravanchi and Kazem Gharibabadi, as well as Baghaei, also participating. On the U.S. side, Special Representative for the Middle East Steve Witcoff is heading the delegation.

‘Consturctive atmosphere’ in first round

Tehran described the first round as having taken place in “a constructive atmosphere based on mutual respect,” despite the indirect format of the discussions. Araghchi and Witcoff reportedly exchanged brief remarks after the two-and-a-half-hour session, held in separate rooms.

The negotiations center on Iran’s nuclear program, with Washington increasing pressure on Tehran to abandon any ambitions of developing nuclear weapons — an allegation Iran firmly denies.

Trump has recently threatened military strikes and additional sanctions if Iran fails to reach a new agreement to replace the 2015 nuclear deal, which the U.S. unilaterally abandoned in 2018.

Although Iran has refused direct negotiations with the U.S., both sides have agreed to proceed with indirect talks facilitated by Oman.