TEHRAN 

The first round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the US, mediated by the Gulf state of Oman, has concluded, with talks due to resume next week, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

The ministry said the talks, led by Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Steve Witkoff, the US’ special Mideast envoy, were “held in a constructive atmosphere based on mutual respect.”

The two sides, the statement said, “exchanged their respective governments’ positions on issues related to Iran’s peaceful nuclear program and the lifting of unlawful sanctions against Iran.”

The talks were mediated by Badr Albusaidi, Oman’s foreign minister.

Both parties agreed that the next round of negotiations would be held next week.

The statement added that the heads of the two delegations “briefly spoke with each other in the presence of the Omani Foreign Minister” while they were leaving the venue after more than 2 1/2 hours of indirect talks in the capital Muscat.

Albusaidi said on X: "I am proud to announce that today in Muscat we hosted Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Seyed Abbas Araghchi and US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and mediated to begin a process of dialogue and negotiations with the shared aim of concluding a fair and binding agreement."

He added: “I would like to thank my two colleagues for this engagement which took place in a friendly atmosphere conducive to bridging viewpoints and ultimately achieving regional and global peace, security and stability.”

He affirmed that his country “will continue to work together and put further efforts to assist in arriving at this goal.”  

Calm and respect

Later, Araghchi said the talks had taken place in a calm environment and were based on mutual respect.

Speaking to Iranian state TV, Araghchi said that the parties involved in the discussions demonstrated a willingness to move forward toward “reaching an acceptable agreement.”

He added: “The United States tried to demonstrate firmness in order to reach a fair and appropriate agreement.”

There were no inappropriate incidents during the talks, he said.

“Both sides showed their readiness to move toward a mutually acceptable agreement, but this process is not easy, and both sides must demonstrate the necessary will,” he stated.

Araghchi also said messages were exchanged with the US delegation four times during the talks, mediated by Albusaidi.

He added that the next round may not be in Muscat, but Oman would remain the mediator.

The top diplomat emphasized that Iran is not seeking to waste time, but acknowledged “negotiations will not be easy and require determination.”

On his brief encounter with Steve Witkoff, Araghchi said greetings were exchanged “in accordance with diplomatic protocol.”

“Constructive and promising round of indirect talks with U.S. Special Envoy @SteveWitkoff, kindly hosted and mediated by my brother @badralbusaidi of the Sultanate of Oman,” Araqchi wrote on X.

“The talks were conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect. I elaborated Iran's viewpoints in a firm yet forward-looking manner. Both sides decided to continue the process in a matter of days,” he added.  

Talks through Omani mediator

Araghchi, accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi, arrived in Muscat early on Saturday to take part in the much-anticipated talks.

The talks are focused on Iran’s nuclear program and come amid heightened tensions between the two countries, especially since Donald Trump returned to the US presidency this January.

Trump recently threatened Iran with bombing and more tariffs if it failed to reach an agreement with the US over its nuclear program, which triggered sharp reactions from Tehran.

The US and Israel accuse Iran of developing a nuclear weapon. Tehran denies it.

Iran refused to engage in direct talks with the US but agreed to hold indirect talks with Oman’s mediation following a recent exchange of letters between the two sides.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

On X page earlier Saturday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the representatives of the Iranian and American sides were seated in separate rooms and conveying their views to each other through the Omani mediator.​​​​​​​