Iran, US Hold First High-Level Nuclear Talks Since 2018 In Oman

Iran and the United States have completed a first round of discussions in Oman regarding Tehran's nuclear programme - marking the most senior-level contact between the two nations since 2018.

Both sides described the talks as "constructive" and confirmed a second round is scheduled for next week, with the US praising the "direct communication" as essential to potentially reaching an agreement, reported BBC.

Photo Credit: https://x.com/SteveWitkoff, https://x.com/araghchi

Former President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran and global powers in 2018, pledging to negotiate a "better" deal. The current dialogue is viewed as an important initial step towards determining if a renewed agreement is achievable.

The initial meeting, which lasted two and a half hours, was brief but reportedly respectful, and paved the way for further discussions.

Taking place in Muscat, Oman's capital, the talks were primarily indirect and mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi. These are the most consequential talks since Trump exited the original nuclear agreement during his presidency.

Iran's lead negotiator, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, characterised the discussions positively.

"In my opinion, as the first meeting, it was a constructive meeting held in a very peaceful and respectful environment, because no inappropriate language was used," he told Iranian state television.

His diplomatic tone suggests Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, refrained from repeating the US president's past threats that Iran would face "great danger" should the talks fail. Trump has previously alluded to potential military action.

Although the delegations remained in separate rooms and relayed messages through Busaidi, Araghchi and Witkoff did exchange a few words in person - a modest but potentially meaningful development.

No photos were taken, a decision seen as Iran's effort to manage internal pressure from domestic hardliners.

In a statement following the talks, the White House noted that the discussions were "very positive and constructive", and highlighted that Witkoff stressed he had a mandate to resolve issues "through dialogue and diplomacy, if that is possible".

"These issues are very complicated, and special envoy Witkoff's direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome," the statement read.

Ahead of the discussions, Araghchi had stated that Iran sought a "fair agreement".

After the meeting, he indicated that next week's session might take place in a different location, but would still be mediated by Oman. The White House later confirmed the date for next Saturday.

"Neither we, nor the other party, want fruitless negotiations, discussions for discussions' sake, time wasting or talks that drag on forever," Araghchi told state TV.

The main sticking point remains the nature of the agreement each side would be willing to accept.

Trump reportedly sent a message to Iran's Supreme Leader via the UAE last month, proposing a deal that would prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and avoid potential US or Israeli military strikes.

Iran hopes to reach a deal that would limit - but not eliminate - its nuclear programme in exchange for relief from economic sanctions.

An anonymous source in Oman told Reuters that the talks also aim to de-escalate regional tensions and explore the possibility of prisoner swaps.

Trump revealed plans for the negotiations during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the White House. Netanyahu later said both leaders agreed that Iran "will not have nuclear weapons".

The Israeli PM has pushed for a "Libya-style" disarmament deal - referencing Libya's 2003 decision to completely dismantle its weapons programme - a model which Iran strongly rejects.

Tehran maintains its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful and insists it has no intention of developing nuclear weapons. Iranian officials have made clear that the talks are focused solely on nuclear issues, not broader defence topics like missile development.

Trump, speaking on Friday, said he wanted Iran to become a "wonderful, great, happy country - but they can't have nuclear weapons".

Despite the ongoing dialogue, tensions remain high. As the talks were being prepared, the US deployed additional warships and stealth bombers to the region and enforced further sanctions.

On Monday, Trump warned from the Oval Office that it would be "a very bad day for Iran" if the negotiations failed.

Since the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement - which is due to expire later this year - Iran has breached several restrictions in retaliation for renewed US sanctions and has amassed enough highly enriched uranium to potentially produce multiple nuclear weapons.

Under the 2015 deal, Iran agreed to limit uranium enrichment to 3.67% for 15 years. However, in February, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran had enriched uranium up to 60%, dangerously close to the 90% purity required for weapons-grade material.

The original agreement took nearly two years of intensive diplomacy. Now, with Iran's nuclear programme more advanced and the Middle East more volatile, the road to a new deal appears conspicuously more complex.