Iran, US hold talks on nuclear program, sanctions relief in Muscat

Representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States have begun talks focused on Iran’s peaceful nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who traveled to the Omani capital to pursue nuclear negotiations, held talks earlier on Friday with Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi as the first step of negotiations.

The first round was reportedly held indirectly with the Iranian and American delegations holding separate meetings with Busaidi.

During his meeting with Busaidi, Araghchi explained the viewpoints and proposals of the Islamic Republic regarding the subjects under negotiation, as well as Tehran’s demands and considerations.

The proposal was conveyed by Busaidi to US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. According to reports, the American delegation has concluded its review of the proposal.

Under the agreed schedule, at 1:30 p.m. local time in Muscat, Araghchi and his accompanying delegation headed to the venue of the Iran–US talks to begin the second round of negotiations.

In the meeting with this Omani counterpart, Araghchi referred to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s approach of using diplomacy to secure national interests, underlining Tehran’s full readiness to defend the country’s sovereignty and national security against any excessive demands or adventurism.

He also expressed appreciation for Oman's hosting and facilitating the talks.

The Omani foreign minister, for his part, praised the Islamic Republic of Iran’s “good faith, sense of responsibility and seriousness” regarding diplomatic processes.

Pointing to the determination of regional countries to prevent any escalation of tensions, he voiced hope that this round of negotiations, conducted in good faith and with prudence by all sides, would pave the way for a “lasting” understanding between Iran and the United States.

Araghchi arrived in Muscat early Friday heading a delegation that includes Deputy Foreign Ministers Majid Takht-Ravanchi and Hamid Qanbari, along with Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei.

On the US side, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is leading the delegation, accompanied by Jared Kushner, adviser and son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.

Earlier, Baghaei wrote in a post on X that the diplomatic engagement is being conducted “with strength and with the objective of achieving a fair, mutually satisfactory and dignified agreement.”

The talks are taking place amid heightened tensions in West Asia, as a US military build-up and threats against Iran have raised concerns about regional security.

According to Iranian media reports, the negotiations are focused exclusively on Iran’s peaceful nuclear energy program and the lifting of sanctions. Issues such as Iran’s missile capabilities are not part of the agenda, as Tehran has repeatedly rejected them as illegitimate conditions.

Iranian officials have stressed that meaningful progress requires an atmosphere free from threats and illogical demands. Previous US calls for a complete halt to uranium enrichment and restrictions on Iran’s missile program were firmly rejected by Tehran.

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