The United States and Iran held indirect, high-stakes talks in Oman on Friday aimed at reviving diplomacy over Tehran’s nuclear program, months after a halt in formal negotiations and amid lingering mistrust between the two nations.
The talks, mediated by Oman and held separately with U.S. and Iranian delegations at a palace outside Muscat, marked the first substantive diplomatic engagement since a brief military confrontation last year heightened tensions in the Middle East.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, described the discussions as “a very good start,” telling Iranian state television that the session focused on laying a framework for future negotiations and that both sides planned to consult with their capitals before determining next steps.
Friday’s indirect format followed a tumultuous lead-up that included disagreements over the venue and scope of the talks, with Washington hoping to broaden discussions to include issues such as Iran’s ballistic missile program and support for armed groups in the region — demands Tehran has resisted, preferring to keep the focus narrowly on its nuclear activities.
Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi facilitated separate meetings with both delegations and said the talks were useful in clarifying each side’s thinking and identifying areas for possible progress, even if substantive breakthroughs were limited.
The negotiations come as both countries grapple with deep skepticism of the other’s intentions. Iranian officials underscored the “mistrust” that has grown since U.S. forces attacked Iranian nuclear sites last year, while American diplomats have stressed the need for verifiable constraints on Tehran’s nuclear activities.
While no formal agreement was announced, officials indicated that further rounds could occur in the coming days, as both sides seek to avoid further escalation and explore whether diplomatic engagement can reduce the risk of conflict.
