Diplomats are cautiously optimistic after a secret back-channel session in Muscat, Oman on Thursday produced the most substantive progress yet toward extending the Iran-US ceasefire — now just three days from its April 21 expiry.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell held six hours of talks brokered by Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi. Both sides signalled a meaningful shift in positions, according to officials briefed on the session who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The New Iranian Offer
Iran is now reportedly open to a 7-to-10 year moratorium on uranium enrichment above 20 percent — a significant step up from its previous offer of 3 to 5 years, which the United States had rejected as insufficient.
In return, Iran is seeking a phased and permanent lifting of sanctions, a formal guarantee that the United States will not resume military operations, and international supervision of any enrichment that does continue — rather than a complete halt.
US Response
The United States has not publicly acknowledged the Oman meeting. However, leaked readouts described by Reuters describe the session as “the most productive since talks began,” with both delegations agreeing to continue working through the night.
President Trump, speaking at Mar-a-Lago on Thursday evening, said only that “things are happening” and that he would “make a statement very soon.”
Oil Markets React
Oil fell to $98 a barrel on Friday morning — its first dip below $100 in two weeks — as traders priced in a non-zero probability of a ceasefire extension. The Hormuz Strait remains under a partial US naval blockade.
With air assets and naval vessels still in position on both sides, diplomats stress that the situation remains extremely fragile. A formal third round of talks is expected within the next 48 hours.
Source: Reuters / Axios / Al Jazeera
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