1 day ago
Last Updated:April 13, 2025, 07:34 IST
The talks were held amid rising tensions between both nations as Trump warned of potential military action if Iran failed to halt its nuclear activities.
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi | AFP Image
The United States and Iran engaged in high-level discussions on Saturday (local time) over Tehran’s fast-developing nuclear program, which the White House described as “positive and constructive."
The US and Iranian delegates will meet again in Oman on April 19, said Iran’s Foreign Minister, adding that they came close to a negotiation framework during Saturday’s meeting.
“The discussions were very positive and constructive, and the US deeply thanks Sultanate of Oman for supporting this initiative. Special Envoy Witkoff underscored to Dr Araghchi that he had instructions from President Trump to resolve our two nations’ differences through dialogue and diplomacy," the White House said in an official statement.
The talks were held amid rising tensions between both nations as US President Donald Trump warned of potential military action and declared there would be “all hell to pay" if Iran failed to halt its nuclear activities.
“These issues are very complicated, and Special Envoy Witkoff’s direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome. The sides agreed to meet again next Saturday," the statement added.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who briefly met Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff during the indirect talks, told Iranian state TV, “I think we are very close to a basis for negotiations, and if we can conclude this basis next week, we’ll have gone a long way."
The talks were held indirectly, as preferred by Iran, with each delegation in separate rooms and messages being passed through Oman’s foreign minister, despite Trump’s push for direct talks, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei.
After over two and a half hours of indirect talks, the heads of the Iranian and American delegations briefly spoke in the presence of the Omani foreign minister as they departed.
It all came after Trump on Monday (local time) announced that Washington and Tehran would begin talks in Oman, a Gulf nation with a history of mediating between the West and Iran.
Location :Oman
First Published:April 13, 2025, 07:13 IST
News world US, Iran Hold 'Positive And Constructive' Nuclear Talks, Set For Further Dialogue Next Week
