Iranian Diplomat Abbas Araghchi Visits Saudi Arabia and Qatar Before Key U.S. Nuclear Talks in Oman

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is visiting Saudi Arabia and Qatar ahead of the fourth round of indirect nuclear talks with the U.S. in Muscat, Oman. The visits aim to address regional concerns over Iran's nuclear program, focusing on uranium enrichment and sanctions relief. Concurrently, Saudi Arabia is pursuing its own civil nuclear program and seeks U.S. cooperation, amid concerns about regional nuclear proliferation. The Muscat talks will address technical specifics of Iran's nuclear activities, with both sides cautiously optimistic despite differing positions on uranium enrichment.

Araghchi’s Gulf Tour: A Prelude to Muscat Talks

On Saturday, May 10, Araghchi held consultations in Riyadh with senior Saudi officials and is scheduled to attend a conference on Arab-Iranian dialogue in Doha. According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, the visits are part of “continuous consultations” with neighboring states and are intended to address “concerns and mutual interests” regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

The timing of Araghchi’s Gulf tour is significant. It comes just ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s regional visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates from May 13 to 16, and only a day before the fourth round of nuclear talks in Oman. The Muscat meeting, originally scheduled for May 3 in Rome, was postponed due to logistical reasons, but both sides have now confirmed their participation.

Nuclear Talks: Enrichment and Sanctions at the Forefront

The upcoming negotiations in Oman are expected to delve into the technical specifics of Iran’s uranium enrichment activities and the phased lifting of U.S. sanctions. These two issues remain the core sticking points in the ongoing diplomatic efforts to revive a nuclear agreement.

Iran insists on its right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes, a position it considers non-negotiable. However, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has taken a hardline stance, stating in a recent interview that Iran must dismantle its enrichment facilities, eliminate centrifuges, and export its enriched uranium if it wants to maintain a civilian nuclear program. “An enrichment program can never exist in Iran again,” Witkoff said, underscoring Washington’s red line.

Despite these differences, both sides have expressed cautious optimism. Araghchi noted that the talks are “moving forward” and that the delegations are now transitioning from general discussions to more specialized, technical matters. Written proposals and responses have reportedly been exchanged, facilitated by Omani mediators.

Saudi Arabia’s Nuclear Aspirations and U.S. Cooperation

While Iran negotiates the future of its nuclear program, Saudi Arabia is actively seeking U.S. assistance to develop its own civil nuclear industry. The Trump administration has expressed enthusiasm about the prospect, viewing it as a strategic opportunity to counter Chinese and Russian influence in the region’s nuclear sector.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who visited Riyadh ahead of Trump’s trip, stated that the U.S. is “very excited” about helping the kingdom build nuclear reactors. However, the cooperation is not without complications. A key point of contention is Saudi Arabia’s desire to enrich its own uranium—a move that could raise proliferation concerns and potentially trigger a regional arms race.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously stated that if Iran were to develop a nuclear weapon, Saudi Arabia would follow suit. Although relations between Riyadh and Tehran have improved in recent years, the kingdom remains wary of Iran’s nuclear intentions and is closely watching the outcome of the Muscat talks.

Regional Dynamics and Diplomatic Calculations

The broader geopolitical context adds layers of complexity to the negotiations. Trump’s upcoming visit to the Gulf is expected to include meetings with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders, where regional security and nuclear proliferation will likely be high on the agenda.

Saudi Arabia’s interest in a U.S.-backed nuclear program is also seen as part of a larger diplomatic package that could include arms deals, security guarantees, and normalization with Israel. While the Trump administration has decoupled some of these elements, nuclear cooperation remains a key bargaining chip.

Meanwhile, Iran continues to reject any linkage between its nuclear program and its regional military posture, including its missile capabilities and support for allied groups. Iranian officials have emphasized that such issues fall outside the scope of the current negotiations.

Technical Delegations and Mediation Efforts

Both Iran and the U.S. are sending technical delegations to the Muscat talks, reflecting the shift toward more detailed discussions. Iranian officials have confirmed that their team includes nuclear experts and specialists relevant to the current phase of negotiations. The U.S. delegation will be led by Witkoff, who has been a central figure in the Trump administration’s Iran policy.

Oman, which has played a consistent mediating role, coordinated the rescheduling of the talks and continues to facilitate backchannel communications. Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi confirmed that both parties had agreed to the new date and venue.

Iranian Diplomat Abbas Araghchi Visits Saudi Arabia and Qatar Before Key U.S. Nuclear Talks in Oman

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