Iran, US hold indirect talks in Oman, set to continue next week

MUSCAT,— The United States and Iran engaged in indirect negotiations in Oman on Saturday aimed at easing tensions over Tehran’s advancing nuclear program.

Both sides described the discussions as “positive” and “constructive,” and agreed to resume talks the following week.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the meeting marked a potential turning point.

“We are very close to a framework for negotiations,” Araqchi said on Iranian state TV. “If we reach that framework next week, we can begin serious dialogue.”

According to Araqchi, the session was the first involving Iranian officials and representatives of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration since Trump returned to office.

He characterized the talks as calm and productive. The two delegations reportedly agreed not to continue talks just for appearance’s sake, but with the goal of reaching a tangible agreement in the short term.

The White House confirmed that Special Envoy Steven Witkoff, U.S. Ambassador to Oman Ana Escrogima, and Iranian representatives participated in the meeting. Oman’s foreign ministry facilitated the indirect engagement, which took place in separate rooms with messages relayed by Omani officials.

“These discussions are highly complex,” a White House statement read. “Envoy Witkoff’s communication today represents a constructive step toward a beneficial outcome for both sides.”

President Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, said the talks were going “OK,” but added, “Nothing matters until it’s finished.”

Saturday’s meeting followed Trump’s unexpected announcement earlier in the week that negotiations would begin in Oman — a country that has served as a go-between in past U.S.-Iran talks.

Oman has previously helped broker the release of detained dual nationals and foreign citizens held in Iran.

An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, confirmed the indirect nature of the dialogue. He stated that delegations exchanged views through Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Al-Busaidi. Araqchi added that after over two hours of talks, the heads of both delegations spoke briefly in person as they left the venue, with Omani officials present.

“The focus is on regional de-escalation, prisoner swaps, and limited sanctions relief in return for halting parts of Iran’s nuclear program,” an Omani official told AP. Baghaei disputed some elements of that account but did not offer further details.

Under Trump’s previous administration, the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement and reimposed sanctions on Tehran. Trump has threatened military action if no new deal is reached. Meanwhile, Israel — a close U.S. ally — continues to view Iran’s nuclear activity as an existential threat.

Regional instability has worsened since the Gaza conflict in 2023, with Iran and its allies facing Israeli strikes in Iran, Lebanon, and Syria. Tehran denies seeking nuclear weapons, although Western nations say Iran’s uranium enrichment has surpassed peaceful energy needs.

Russia’s envoy to international organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, said the dialogue appeared promising. “Both sides’ statements after the meeting are encouraging,” he wrote on social media.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly given Araqchi full authority to negotiate, according to an Iranian source.

Still, significant gaps remain. Tehran insists its defense programs, including ballistic missiles, are non-negotiable. Washington continues to press for curbs on uranium enrichment, which Iran has advanced to 60% purity — near weapons-grade levels.

If talks fail, tensions could worsen. Iran has warned regional countries hosting U.S. forces of serious repercussions if they support military action.

“This is just the beginning,” Baghaei noted. “Each side is presenting its main positions through Oman’s mediation.”

In March 2025, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected talks with the United States and declared that Iran would not yield to external pressure to enter negotiations. His statement came one day after U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed he had sent a letter urging Tehran to reach a nuclear agreement.

(With files from Reuters)