Senior US and Iranian officials are set to continue discussions after talks in Oman, the Iranian foreign minister says, amid a crisis that had raised fears of a conflict between the countries. Abbas Araghchi said the mediated discussions were a 'good beginning' and 'exclusively nuclear', and the negotiators would now return to their capitals for consultations.
Ahead of the talks, US officials said they also wanted to discuss Iran's ballistic missiles and its support for regional armed groups, which underscored the gaps between the countries' positions. There has been no immediate US reaction.
The talks came against the backdrop of a US military buildup in the Middle East in response to Iran's violent repression of nationwide anti-government protests last month, which human rights groups say killed many thousands of people. In recent weeks, President Trump has threatened to bomb Iran if it does not reach a deal. The US has sent thousands of troops and what Trump has described as an 'armada' to the region, including an aircraft carrier along with other warships as well as fighter jets.
Iran, meanwhile, has vowed to respond to an attack with force, threatening to strike American military assets in the Middle East and Israel. Speaking to Iranian state television, Araghchi said there was an 'atmosphere of mistrust' between the two sides that 'must be overcome,' and details about the possible next round of talks would be decided later.
These were the first talks involving US and Iranian officials since before the war between Israel and Iran last June, when the US bombed Iran's three main nuclear facilities. Despite the prospect of further meetings, it remains unclear whether a deal is possible as major differences remain.
For Iran's embattled leaders, this could mean a chance to avert US military action that could further destabilise the regime, which analysts say is in its weakest position since it came to power following the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iranian officials have indicated being open to concessions, which could include the creation of a regional consortium for uranium enrichment, as proposed during talks with the US that collapsed when Israel launched its surprise attack on Iran.
Ahead of the talks, US officials said they also wanted to discuss Iran's ballistic missiles and its support for regional armed groups, which underscored the gaps between the countries' positions. There has been no immediate US reaction.
The talks came against the backdrop of a US military buildup in the Middle East in response to Iran's violent repression of nationwide anti-government protests last month, which human rights groups say killed many thousands of people. In recent weeks, President Trump has threatened to bomb Iran if it does not reach a deal. The US has sent thousands of troops and what Trump has described as an 'armada' to the region, including an aircraft carrier along with other warships as well as fighter jets.
Iran, meanwhile, has vowed to respond to an attack with force, threatening to strike American military assets in the Middle East and Israel. Speaking to Iranian state television, Araghchi said there was an 'atmosphere of mistrust' between the two sides that 'must be overcome,' and details about the possible next round of talks would be decided later.
These were the first talks involving US and Iranian officials since before the war between Israel and Iran last June, when the US bombed Iran's three main nuclear facilities. Despite the prospect of further meetings, it remains unclear whether a deal is possible as major differences remain.
For Iran's embattled leaders, this could mean a chance to avert US military action that could further destabilise the regime, which analysts say is in its weakest position since it came to power following the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iranian officials have indicated being open to concessions, which could include the creation of a regional consortium for uranium enrichment, as proposed during talks with the US that collapsed when Israel launched its surprise attack on Iran.
