Muscat, Oman. Iran’s top diplomat said nuclear talks with the United States mediated by Oman were off to a “good start” and would continue, following discussions in the Omani capital. The talks come amid concerns that failure to reach a deal could raise regional tensions.
Talks in Muscat and participants
Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi spoke after talks in Muscat involving him, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Araqchi said that “any dialogue requires refraining from threats and pressure,” adding that Tehran only discusses its nuclear issue and does not discuss any other issue with the United States.
Differences over scope of negotiations
While both sides have indicated readiness to revive diplomacy over Iran’s long-running nuclear dispute with the West, Washington has sought to expand the talks to cover Iran’s ballistic missiles, its support for armed groups in the region and “treatment of their own people,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday.
Enrichment and sanctions demands
A regional diplomat briefed by Tehran said Iran insisted on its “right to enrich uranium” during the negotiations and that Tehran’s missile capabilities were not raised in the discussions. The diplomat said Iran ruled out Washington’s demand for no enrichment on its soil but showed openness to discussing the “level and purity” of enrichment or alternative arrangements, including a potential regional consortium.
In return, the diplomat said Iran demanded “efficient and immediate sanctions relief, including banking and oil,” and the moving of U.S. military assets away from Iran.
Red lines and stated positions
Iranian officials have repeatedly ruled out putting Iran’s missiles up for discussion and have said Tehran wants recognition of its right to enrich uranium. For Washington, carrying out enrichment inside Iran is a red line, as enrichment can be a pathway to nuclear bombs, while Tehran has long denied any intent to weaponise nuclear fuel production.
The regional diplomat said Tehran believed U.S. negotiators “seemed to understand Iran’s stance on the enrichment.” Araqchi also told Iran’s state TV that it was “a good start to the negotiations.”
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