The United States and Iran wrapped up a new round of negotiations on Saturday over Tehran’s accelerating nuclear programme, with talks set to continue next week, according to Iranian state television.
The meeting marked the first direct engagement between the two countries since President Donald Trump returned to the White House. US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly spoke “briefly” in the presence of Oman’s foreign minister—an unusual moment of direct interaction between two nations long at odds.
While Washington has yet to confirm the report, Tehran’s swift publicisation of the dialogue hints at optimism on its side.
The talks will “probably take place” on April 19, Araghchi told State TV, with the aim of discussing the broad framework of a potential agreement.
“None of the parties are looking for fruitless talks, for talks that are time-wasting,” Araghchi said.
In this photo released by Iranian Foreign Ministry, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left, meets his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Albusaidi prior to negotiations with U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff in Muscat, Oman, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (Iranian Foreign Ministry via AP)
The talks, which took place on the outskirts of Muscat, Oman, lasted just over two hours. However, Araghchi hinted that the location of future talks may not be in Oman, but will still take place under Omani intermediation.
The stakes are high. Trump has repeatedly warned that the US is prepared to launch airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities if diplomacy fails. Meanwhile, Iran continues to enrich uranium to near weapons-grade levels, warning that it could soon cross the nuclear threshold if provoked.
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