“A Positive Start”; First Round of the Muscat Talks Between Iran and the United States Concludes

The first round of indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the United States concluded on Friday evening in Muscat, with initial assessments described as positive and raising the likelihood of further negotiations in subsequent stages.

Following the talks, Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, said: “The exchange of views between Iran and the United States in Muscat was good and can be considered a positive start to the negotiations,” adding that there was an understanding to continue the nuclear talks.

According to Iranian state media, the two delegations exchanged their positions and considerations indirectly, with mediation by Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Oman’s foreign minister, in an effort aimed at narrowing differences between Tehran and Washington.

Iranian television, citing the Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson, reported that the talks “have concluded at this stage,” with delegations likely to return to their respective capitals for internal consultations. Iran’s foreign minister and his accompanying delegation also returned to their residence in Muscat, with a final assessment of this round expected to be announced at a later time.