Indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States wrapped up in Muscat on Friday, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi describing the exchanges as “a very good start” but stressing that both delegations must now brief their respective leaders before moving forward.
"It was a good start to the negotiations. And there is an understanding on continuing the talks. Coordination on how to proceed will be decided in the capitals," the minister, Abbas Araghchi, told Iranian state TV.
"If this process continues, I think we will reach a good framework for an understanding."
Officials from both sides, who held indirect talks through Omani mediation in Oman's capital Muscat, will return home for consultations, Araghchi said.
While both sides have indicated readiness to revive diplomacy over Tehran's long-running nuclear dispute with the West, Washington wanted to expand the talks to cover Iran's ballistic missiles, support for armed groups around the region and "treatment of their own people", U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday.
Araghchi told Iran's state news agency IRNA that "any dialogue requires refraining from threats and pressure," adding that Tehran "only discusses its nuclear issue. We do not discuss any other issue with the U.S."
Araghchi, speaking live on Iranian state television from Oman, said the sides held several rounds of indirect discussions centered on establishing an initial framework for future negotiations on the nuclear file. He emphasized that the talks were preliminary but constructive.
According to IRNA, during the session that began early on Friday, the negotiating delegations of Iran and the U.S. conveyed their respective views, considerations, and approaches to each other through Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi.
This round ended, with another one expected to take place in the coming days, the report said.
Iran and the U.S. resumed their indirect nuclear diplomacy on Friday after weeks of heightened tensions fueled by U.S. President Donald Trump's threat of military action against Tehran.
