Talks between Iran and the United States on Tehran’s nuclear programme began on Saturday in Oman, according to Iranian state television. The negotiations mark the first direct discussions between the two sides since US air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June, carried out during the conflict launched by Israel against Iran.
Talks hosted in Oman
The negotiations are taking place in Oman, which is once again acting as mediator between Tehran and Washington. The earlier cycle of talks between the two sides had also been facilitated by Oman before being interrupted by the outbreak of hostilities.
Delegations and representation
Iran is represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while the United States delegation is led by Steve Witkoff, the envoy of US President Donald Trump.
Statements by the Iranian foreign minister
Ahead of the talks, Araghchi stated that Iran is “ready” to defend itself against “any excessive demands or attempts at adventurism”.
During a meeting with his Omani counterpart Badr al-Busaidi prior to the start of negotiations with the United States, Araghchi said that “the Islamic Republic uses diplomacy to defend Iran’s national interests”.
He added that Iran is “ready to defend the country’s sovereignty and national security against any excessive demands and attempts at adventurism” by the United States.
Bilateral and regional discussions
According to the Iranian news agency Mehr News Agency, Araghchi and al-Busaidi discussed the most important bilateral, regional and international issues. The agency released a photograph showing the two officials seated at a table with their national flags displayed.
Background to the renewed talks
The current negotiations follow US air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June, carried out during the conflict initiated by Israel against Iran. That conflict brought an earlier round of Iran–US talks to a halt, prompting renewed mediation efforts by Oman.