The US left the negotiating table during the third round of talks between the US and Iran on Thursday, Iranian media reported.
Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi described the talks as having made "significant progress" and announced that more discussions will take place next week in Vienna.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has submitted Tehran's new nuclear proposal ahead of the indirect talks with the US in Geneva, which a senior Iranian official told Reuters could result in a framework for a deal if Washington separates "nuclear and non-nuclear issues."
A source familiar with the details told The Jerusalem Post that several issues were clarified during the second round of talks, which he described as positive, and work is continuing toward formulating an agreement.
At this stage, a meeting is planned for Wednesday, defined as "technical in nature." Witkoff, Kushner, and Araghchi are not expected to participate.
The talks began on Thursday morning with Araghchi and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner holding a three-hour session mediated by Oman before adjourning for a break.
The break was announced by al-Busaidi in a post on X, in which he wrote that the US and Iranian negotiators had been exchanging "creative and positive ideas."
According to Iran International, which cited an Iranian diplomatic source, the pause in negotiations was due to the US demand for "zero enrichment" and the delivery of all 60% enriched uranium to the US.
The talks resumed on Thursday afternoon.
The document, submitted to Busaidi, is said to counter US "excuses" regarding Iran's nuclear program while laying out “key elements of a potential agreement," according to Iranian media.
Al-Busaidi said Tehran's latest proposal was "formulated based on the principles agreed upon in the previous round of negotiations" and emphasized Muscat's consistent approach of supporting and facilitating talks to mitigate the differences between Washington and Tehran and achieve a sustainable solution, ISNA reported.
Al-Busaidi later met with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, to discuss technical issues surrounding Iran's nuclear program. Speaking to reporters, the Omani official said both Washington and Tehran were showing "flexibility" and expressed optimism in the continued negotiations.
'Maximum possible flexibility'
Iran’s latest proposal reportedly offers more concessions and flexibility than previous rounds of talks, with officials asserting it addresses key American concerns about Iran’s nuclear program.
According to Iranian officials cited by Iranian media, Tehran's current proposal "includes the maximum possible Iranian flexibility regarding the negotiating agreement within the limits of Iranian red lines to address American concerns or pretexts regarding Iran's nuclear program."
The unnamed officials added that any deal will also have to focus on the issue of "lifting sanctions, and without that this flexibility cannot be translated into practical measures," and stressed "Iran's established right to possess the fuel cycle" while offering "guarantees for the nuclear program to remain peaceful, including monitoring and verification mechanisms."
Tehran poised for either war or peace
Ahead of his trip to Geneva, Araghchi said in an interview with India Today that Iran was "fully prepared for both options: war and peace," adding, "I think it is possible to reach a fair, balanced and just agreement and we can achieve it. Of course, our armed forces are ready to do their job and we know how to defend ourselves, just as we did last time. We have learned a lot from the last war, so we are more prepared now."
Earlier Thursday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated Tehran's supposed opposition to building nuclear weapons, noting that the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei banned weapons of mass destruction, which "clearly means Tehran won't develop nuclear weapons." Khamenei, who has the last say on Tehran's nuclear program, banned the development of nuclear weapons in a fatwa, or religious decree, in the early 2000s.
Senior Advisor to Khamenei and Iranian Defense Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani further stressed Thursday afternoon Iran's comittment to not building a nuclear bomb, stating that this was "in line with Iran's defense doctrine."
Thursday's diplomatic meeting is seen as a pivotal moment for both nations and as a last chance for avoiding a military confrontation, as the ongoing standoff over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, missile programs, and regional influence continues to escalate.
Could Iran's new proposal change the previous US condition of zero enrichment?
On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tehran's reluctance to discuss its ballistic missile program was "a big, big problem," adding, however, that "the president wants diplomatic solutions. He prefers them greatly."
The negotiations, which follow two earlier rounds in Vienna and Geneva, are crucial for both sides as they attempt to reach an agreement on the future of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear deal that has remained in limbo since the US’s withdrawal in 2018 under US President Donald Trump.
This time, the Trump administration has adopted a stricter approach, with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff recently saying the administration aims to avoid a "sunset clause" to ensure there is no limit on the deal's duration.
Publicly, US officials have maintained that zero enrichment remains the standard for any deal with Tehran, but recent reports suggest that Trump may be open to an Iranian proposal that would allow so‑called “token” uranium enrichment, with strict safeguards to prevent any route to weaponization.
On Tuesday, Trump restated in his State of the Union speech to Congress that he would not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon.
In an interview with Fox News on Saturday, Witkoff claimed Tehran was about a week away from being able to enrich its existing uranium to a weaponized level.
Military options still on the table
Meanwhile, Trump has been presented with military options that involve directly targeting the supreme leader, and US naval and air forces continue to arrive in the Middle East.
Washington and Tehran enter this round of talks amid increased US military presence in the region.
US officials have repeatedly warned of the threat posed by Iran’s missile and drone capabilities, as well as its continued support for militia groups throughout the Middle East. Tehran, for its part, has insisted that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, though it has increasingly taken a hardline stance, accusing Washington of being unwilling to negotiate in good faith.
Tensions also remain high following Iran’s recent military maneuvers, which many analysts believe are part of Tehran’s ongoing strategy to assert regional dominance.
Meanwhile, the US has been deploying additional military assets to the region, including aircraft carriers and fighter jets, in a show of force aimed at deterring further escalation.
Last chance to avoid a broader conflict
Diplomatic sources indicate that these talks could be the last chance to avoid a broader conflict, with both sides under domestic pressure to show tangible progress.
Washington is keen to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons while ensuring its allies, particularly Israel and the Gulf states, remain secure. For Tehran, the talks represent an opportunity to ease crippling sanctions that have severely impacted its economy.
Tehran has publicly maintained an optimistic tone regarding negotiations, with Pezeshkian stating this week that Tehran saw a good chance of reaching a good outcome.
As the clock ticks toward the start of these critical discussions, analysts are closely watching for signs of potential breakthroughs or breakdowns that could have serious ramifications for the region’s future.
Reuters contributed to this report.