Senior US and Iranian officials held talks in Oman amid a crisis that has raised fears of military confrontation between the two countries, with Iran’s foreign minister describing the meeting as a “good beginning.”
The indirect discussions in Muscat occurred as the US military builds up its presence in the Middle East in response to Iran’s violent repression of nationwide anti-government protests last month, which human rights groups say killed many thousands of people. Speaking on state television after the talks, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi said negotiators would return to their capitals for consultations but described the meeting as a “good beginning.”
Iran previously said the talks would be limited to its nuclear programme. The US, which is demanding Iran freeze its nuclear programme and discard its stockpile of enriched uranium, said they should also involve Iran’s ballistic missiles and the country’s support for regional armed groups. Oman’s foreign minister held separate talks with Araghchi and US special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s son-in-law and emissary Jared Kushner. The consultations focused on “preparing the appropriate conditions for resuming diplomatic and technical negotiations.”
In recent weeks, Trump has threatened to bomb Iran if it does not reach a deal. The US has sent thousands of troops and what Trump has described as an “armada” to the region, including an aircraft carrier, warships, and fighter jets. Iran has vowed to respond to an attack with force, threatening to strike American military assets in the Middle East and Israel.
For Iran’s embattled leaders, the talks could be the last chance to avert US military action that could further destabilize the regime, which analysts say is in its weakest position since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Trump’s threats came as Iran’s security forces brutally repressed large-scale demonstrations triggered by a deepening economic crisis. The Human Rights Activists News Agency said it confirmed at least 6,883 deaths, warning the number could be much higher, with more than 50,000 arrests.
Iran says it has the right to enrich uranium on its own territory and has rejected calls for its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, 400kg, to be transferred to a third country. Officials have indicated being open to concessions, including a regional consortium for uranium enrichment. However, Iran says demands to limit its ballistic missile programme and end support for proxies are unacceptable breaches of sovereignty. The talks, initially planned for Istanbul, were moved to Oman at Iran’s last-minute request and limited to Iranian and American officials only.
