US and Iranian delegations led by US Presidential Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have concluded indirect talks in the Omani capital Muscati, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
According to the ministry, the first round of talks in Muscat took place in a “constructive atmosphere and on the basis of mutual respect.”
Iranian and US negotiators are known to have exchanged their governments’ views on Iran’s nuclear programme and lifting sanctions on the Islamic Republic, the Foreign Ministry said.
“The sides agreed to continue the talks next week,” the foreign ministry added, without giving details.
Iran has pushed for indirect talks, saying it will not engage in direct dialogue while Trump’s campaign of “maximum pressure” on Tehran continues.
In 2018, Trump pulled the United States out of the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement signed with world powers and renewed sanctions that had been lifted in exchange for curbing Tehran’s nuclear programme.
The US president had threatened to strike Iran if it did not reach an agreement with Washington. Tehran rejected these threats, calling them an “affront” to peace and security.
In late March, Iran formally responded to a letter sent by Trump offering direct talks to reach a new nuclear deal.
Iran has refused direct talks while a “maximum pressure” campaign is underway, but Tehran’s controversial remarks have led some experts to speculate that such talks could resume.
Public outrage in Iran is growing as the country’s economy deteriorates under crippling US sanctions, putting pressure on reformist President Massoud Pezeshkian, who was elected in 2024 and that has raised hopes of improved relations with the West.