The meeting, being held in the Gulf Arab nation of Oman, could be the first direct talks between Iranian and American officials in a decade, though Iran insists they will be indirect – with mediators acting as go-betweens for the two nations. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said on X on Saturday that “Indirect talks” between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the Trump administration’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff “began with the mediation of Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi.” Both parties will be seated in separate rooms and will convey their views to each other through the Omani minister, he said. The US has not confirmed that talks have begun. Iran is seeking an “initial understanding” with the US that could lead to a negotiations process, Araghchi said upon arriving in the Omani capital Muscat.
Iran and the United States began high-level talks in Oman on Saturday aimed at jump-starting negotiations over Tehran's fast-advancing nuclear programme, with U.S. President Donald Trump threatening military action if there is no deal. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi was leading Iran's delegation while the talks on the U.S. side - the first during Trump's tenure in the White House - were being handled by his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. "Indirect talks between Iran and the United States with the mediation of the Omani foreign minister have started," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei posted on X. Each delegation had its separate room and would exchange messages via Oman's foreign minister, Baghaei said.
The United States and Iran have entered indirect, high-stakes negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program in Muscat, Oman. The talks, mediated by an unnamed intermediary, mark a renewed but tense effort to reach a fresh nuclear deal following President Donald Trump's abrupt withdrawal from the 2015 accord. While the US had pushed for face-to-face meetings, Iran insisted on maintaining indirect communication.
