The US is seeking a nuclear accord quickly, according to Iran's statement following exceptional discussions on Saturday, whilst US President Donald Trump warns of potential military intervention if negotiations fail.
The discussions were led by Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, a veteran diplomat who helped craft the 2015 agreement, and Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff. These talks represent the highest-level nuclear negotiations between Iran and the US since the previous agreement's termination.
Araghchi engaged briefly with Witkoff, a property developer, during the otherwise indirect meeting in Oman, and announced that talks would continue next Saturday. "The American side also said that a positive agreement was one that can be reached as soon as possible but that will not be easy and will require a willingness on both sides," Araghchi informed Iranian state television, as quoted by AFP.
"I think we came very close to a basis for negotiation... Neither we nor the other party want fruitless negotiations, discussions for discussions' sake, time wasting or talks that drag on forever," he continued.
Meanwhile, the White House described the discussions as "very positive and constructive". "Special Envoy Witkoff's direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome," their statement read. When questioned about the talks, Trump responded aboard Air Force One: "I think they're going OK. Nothing matters until you get it done."
Earlier statements from both sides indicated their positions: Trump expressing desire for Iran's prosperity whilst preventing nuclear armament, and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's adviser Ali Shamkhani emphasising Iran's pursuit of "a real and fair agreement".
This comes as US and Iran, without diplomatic ties for over four decades, are negotiating a fresh nuclear agreement after Trump withdrew from the previous one in 2018.
The earlier nuclear agreement of 2015 was intended to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons while allowing it to maintain a civilian nuclear programme. Following the United States' unilateral withdrawal from the deal in 2018 under then-also President Donald Trump, Iran increased its nuclear activities.
Recent reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) show that Iran has enriched uranium to significant levels. Under the original agreement, Iran was restricted to maintaining minimal quantities of uranium enriched to 3.67 per cent. Currently, however, its uranium reserves are sufficient to construct several nuclear weapons if desired, with some portions enriched up to 60 per cent—requiring only minor technical adjustments to reach weapons-grade levels. Based on discussions since the US withdrawal, Iran is expected to seek permission to continue uranium enrichment at a minimum of 20 per cent.
The discussions occurred at a luxury Muscat hotel, the site of the 2015 agreement signed during Barack Obama 's presidency, though without visible indications of the high-level meeting.
The Omani foreign minister facilitated this Muscat discussions, according to Iran. The American delegation had requested direct meetings. The diplomats spoke directly for "a few minutes", confirmed Iran's foreign ministry, noting the talks were held "in a constructive and mutually respectful atmosphere".
The participants conducted negotiations from "separate halls", communicating through the Omani foreign minister, according to Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei's post on X. The Omani foreignmMinister Badr Albusaidi characterised the process as occurring in a "friendly atmospere".
Iran is seeking sanctions relief whilst dealing with Israel's actions against its allies Hezbollah and Hamas. Despite Trump's stringent sanctions and military threats, Tehran agreed to participate while the US, aligned with Iran's adversary Israel, aims to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear capabilities.
The discussions were led by Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, a veteran diplomat who helped craft the 2015 agreement, and Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff. These talks represent the highest-level nuclear negotiations between Iran and the US since the previous agreement's termination.
Araghchi engaged briefly with Witkoff, a property developer, during the otherwise indirect meeting in Oman, and announced that talks would continue next Saturday. "The American side also said that a positive agreement was one that can be reached as soon as possible but that will not be easy and will require a willingness on both sides," Araghchi informed Iranian state television, as quoted by AFP.
"I think we came very close to a basis for negotiation... Neither we nor the other party want fruitless negotiations, discussions for discussions' sake, time wasting or talks that drag on forever," he continued.
Meanwhile, the White House described the discussions as "very positive and constructive". "Special Envoy Witkoff's direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome," their statement read. When questioned about the talks, Trump responded aboard Air Force One: "I think they're going OK. Nothing matters until you get it done."
Earlier statements from both sides indicated their positions: Trump expressing desire for Iran's prosperity whilst preventing nuclear armament, and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's adviser Ali Shamkhani emphasising Iran's pursuit of "a real and fair agreement".
This comes as US and Iran, without diplomatic ties for over four decades, are negotiating a fresh nuclear agreement after Trump withdrew from the previous one in 2018.
The earlier nuclear agreement of 2015 was intended to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons while allowing it to maintain a civilian nuclear programme. Following the United States' unilateral withdrawal from the deal in 2018 under then-also President Donald Trump, Iran increased its nuclear activities.
Recent reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) show that Iran has enriched uranium to significant levels. Under the original agreement, Iran was restricted to maintaining minimal quantities of uranium enriched to 3.67 per cent. Currently, however, its uranium reserves are sufficient to construct several nuclear weapons if desired, with some portions enriched up to 60 per cent—requiring only minor technical adjustments to reach weapons-grade levels. Based on discussions since the US withdrawal, Iran is expected to seek permission to continue uranium enrichment at a minimum of 20 per cent.
The discussions occurred at a luxury Muscat hotel, the site of the 2015 agreement signed during Barack Obama 's presidency, though without visible indications of the high-level meeting.
The Omani foreign minister facilitated this Muscat discussions, according to Iran. The American delegation had requested direct meetings. The diplomats spoke directly for "a few minutes", confirmed Iran's foreign ministry, noting the talks were held "in a constructive and mutually respectful atmosphere".
The participants conducted negotiations from "separate halls", communicating through the Omani foreign minister, according to Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei's post on X. The Omani foreignmMinister Badr Albusaidi characterised the process as occurring in a "friendly atmospere".
Iran is seeking sanctions relief whilst dealing with Israel's actions against its allies Hezbollah and Hamas. Despite Trump's stringent sanctions and military threats, Tehran agreed to participate while the US, aligned with Iran's adversary Israel, aims to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear capabilities.
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