Muscat – The third round of indirect talks between Iran and the US mediated by Oman came to an end in Muscat on Saturday afternoon.

Iran and the US held in-depth negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme and lifting of sanctions with “core principles and technical concerns” being the centre of discussions. The two parties agreed to meet again on May 3.

The two delegations were led by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff. The meeting included discussions between the top negotiators as well as technical experts.

From the Iranian side, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-e Ravanchi, who also took part in the 2015 nuclear talks, led Tehran’s expert team.

The US technical team was led by Michael Anton, director of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s policy planning staff.

Foreign Minister H E Sayyid Badr al Busaidi, who acted as intermediary, like the previous two talks sessions, posted on X: “US-Iran talks today identified a shared aspiration to reach agreement based on mutual respect and enduring commitments. Core principles, objectives and technical concerns were all addressed. Talks will continue next week with a further high-level meeting provisionally scheduled for May 3.”

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said success of the talks between Iran and the US requires respect for the Islamic republic’s legitimate rights to use nuclear energy under the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the effective lifting of sanctions.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran remains steadfast in its principled positions on the necessity of ending oppressive sanctions and its readiness to build trust regarding the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme,” Baqaei said briefing reporters on Saturday.