The United States and Iran have reopened high-level diplomatic talks over Tehran’s nuclear program, holding their first indirect negotiations in years. The meeting took place in Muscat, Oman, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi leading Tehran’s delegation and US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witcoff representing Washington. This marks the highest level of engagement between the two nations since 2018.
The talks were conducted via shuttle diplomacy: the two delegations were housed in separate rooms, with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi acting as the go-between.
Following the session, Araghchi described the meeting as a constructive first step. “For a first round, the discussions were positive,” he said in an interview with Iranian state television. “They were held in a calm, respectful environment, free from inflammatory language. Both sides seemed committed to moving the process forward toward a workable agreement.”
The White House echoed this sentiment in a brief statement, describing the talks as “very positive and constructive.” It emphasized that Witcoff had been instructed to pursue diplomacy wherever possible and work toward resolving disagreements through dialogue.
President Donald Trump, when asked about the talks by reporters, offered a guarded endorsement. “I think they’re going well,” he said. “But nothing matters until it’s done. I don’t like talking about it too much. Still, it’s moving along.”
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