Iran’s foreign minister calls Oman-mediated talks with US ‘good start’

By Syed Zafar Mehdi

TEHRAN, Iran (AA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called Friday’s talks with the US in Oman a “good start,” saying they “can also have a good continuation.”

He made the remarks while speaking to Iranian state media reporters accompanying him to Muscat, where Iran and the US resumed their nuclear diplomacy early on Friday.

Iranian state media reported the conclusion of this round of nuclear negotiations with the US in Muscat, with both delegations set to return to their respective capitals.

In his remarks after the end of this round of talks, Araghchi said it was a “good start and can have a good continuation,” but stressed that this depends on the other side and the decisions that will be made in Tehran.

He added that there is a “significant challenge” on the path of the negotiations. Araghchi said Iran’s priority is to overcome the “prevailing atmosphere of distrust,” and then to “reach an agreed framework for these talks and the issues on the table.”

Araghchi said both sides are at a stage where, after eight turbulent months, which included a war, a new round of dialogue is set to begin.

“The deep distrust that has accumulated during this period, adding to previous distrust, presents a major challenge for the negotiations. First, we must overcome this atmosphere of distrust and then design the framework for a new dialogue that can, in principle, secure the interests of the Iranian people,” he noted.

In Friday’s talks, Araghchi said it was agreed that this process would continue, which means they will reconvene in Muscat at a later date.

“If this same approach and perspective are maintained by the other side, we can reach an agreed framework in future sessions for these talks and the issues being discussed. However, I do not want to judge prematurely,” he said.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei also said on US social media company X that the parties agreed to continue the talks.

“While explaining their views and demands, the parties agreed to decide on the next round of talks in consultation with the capitals,” he added.