Description: Sources from both Iran and the US confirmed that the nuclear negotiations would be reinstated this week in Oman’s capital Muskat. The fourth round of talks initially scheduled to take place in Rome on 03 May was cancelled over alleged logistical reasons according to Omani government sources. Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the rescheduling, emphasizing the country’s willingness to resolve the dispute with the US over its nuclear program diplomatically. Official sources from the Kremlin have also stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin conducted a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian where he reaffirmed Russia’s support towards reaching a fair agreement with the US. US President Donald Trump, while hosting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the Oval Office, announced that the US military would stop their bombing campaign over Yemen’s Houthis, a known Iranian proxy.
Impact: The reinstatement of negotiations between the US and Iran reflect a potential positive outcome in the long term as both sides are involved in high stakes diplomatic efforts. Events such as the US bombardment campaign over Yemen’s Houthis and the arrest of more than 7 Iranian nationals plotting a terrorist attack in the UK, have influenced the political climate around the diplomatic efforts. Within the past three encounters, both sides expressed moderate reconciliation of relations and cautious optimism towards reaching a fair political compromise. Two-dimensional pressure from the US personified through the economic sanctions and military threats haven’t produced any significant results as Iran has so far managed to resist Trump’s maximum pressure campaign. Russia’s involvement in the negotiations broadens the geopolitical horizon, as they aim at reasserting their soft power influence through the newly established strategic partnership with Iran. Signals so far haven’t indicated potential for concrete proposals from any side which signifies that the fourth round of negotiations would still protract through the diplomatic channels.