Iran and the US have made a 'good start' in indirect talks about Iran's nuclear program, with both sides agreeing to maintain a diplomatic path. The eight-hour meeting in Muscat, Oman, was attended by high-level officials from both countries, including Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff.
Araghchi described the talks as a "good start" conducted in a good atmosphere, but emphasized that any dialogue required refraining from threats. He also noted that the deep mistrust between the two nations is a major challenge to be overcome before they can reach a framework for an agreement.
The US team was led by Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, with US Centcom commander Adm Brad Cooper in attendance. The talks focused solely on creating suitable conditions for the resumption of diplomatic and technical negotiations emphasizing lasting security and stability.
Washington had initially sought to expand the talks to cover Iran's ballistic missiles, support for armed groups in the region, and treatment of its own people, but Iranian negotiators insisted that only the nuclear dispute would be discussed at least initially. Tehran is seeking assurances that the US is not using the talks as a smokescreen to impose regime change.
The indirect talks come after months of tension between Washington and Tehran, which escalated following the Israeli military strikes on Iran's nuclear sites in June. The US has been building up its naval presence in the region, with Trump warning that he will strike Iran militarily if no progress is made.
Iran is seeking guarantees about the civilian purpose of its nuclear program, as well as sanctions relief in return for a new inspections regime at its nuclear sites. The talks are taking place against the backdrop of repeated warnings by Trump that he will attack Iran militarily from the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier group if no progress is made.
Despite the challenges and tensions between the two nations, both sides appear to be committed to finding a way forward through diplomatic means. However, the road ahead remains fraught with difficulties, including deep mistrust and competing interests.
Araghchi described the talks as a "good start" conducted in a good atmosphere, but emphasized that any dialogue required refraining from threats. He also noted that the deep mistrust between the two nations is a major challenge to be overcome before they can reach a framework for an agreement.
The US team was led by Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, with US Centcom commander Adm Brad Cooper in attendance. The talks focused solely on creating suitable conditions for the resumption of diplomatic and technical negotiations emphasizing lasting security and stability.
Washington had initially sought to expand the talks to cover Iran's ballistic missiles, support for armed groups in the region, and treatment of its own people, but Iranian negotiators insisted that only the nuclear dispute would be discussed at least initially. Tehran is seeking assurances that the US is not using the talks as a smokescreen to impose regime change.
The indirect talks come after months of tension between Washington and Tehran, which escalated following the Israeli military strikes on Iran's nuclear sites in June. The US has been building up its naval presence in the region, with Trump warning that he will strike Iran militarily if no progress is made.
Iran is seeking guarantees about the civilian purpose of its nuclear program, as well as sanctions relief in return for a new inspections regime at its nuclear sites. The talks are taking place against the backdrop of repeated warnings by Trump that he will attack Iran militarily from the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier group if no progress is made.
Despite the challenges and tensions between the two nations, both sides appear to be committed to finding a way forward through diplomatic means. However, the road ahead remains fraught with difficulties, including deep mistrust and competing interests.