News Update at 21.30 IST
The United States and Iran have agreed to continue indirect negotiations over Iran&rsquo;s nuclear program, with a second round of talks scheduled for next week. The initial round, mediated by Oman, took place on Saturday in the Omani capital, Muscat, and lasted over two and a half hours.
Although the delegations from both countries remained in separate rooms throughout the session, Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi served as the key intermediary, shuttling messages between the two sides. In a symbolic gesture, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi briefly spoke face-to-face for a few minutes as the talks concluded, with the Omani minister present.
According to Iran&rsquo;s Foreign Ministry, the discussions were conducted in a &ldquo;constructive atmosphere and based on mutual respect.&rdquo; The ministry noted that the two sides exchanged views on Iran&rsquo;s peaceful nuclear program and the lifting of what Iran describes as &ldquo;unlawful&rdquo; or &ldquo;illegal&rdquo; sanctions imposed by the United States.
Oman&rsquo;s top diplomat also characterized the environment as &ldquo;friendly,&rdquo; describing the launch of the dialogue as a step toward a &ldquo;fair and binding agreement.&rdquo; In a statement posted on X, Busaidi said the talks aimed to bridge differences and work toward regional and global peace, security, and stability. He added that Oman remains committed to continuing its mediating role to help advance the process.
The Iranian delegation was led by Araghchi and included Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Deputy for International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi, and Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei. On the American side, Witkoff represented the Biden administration as the Special Presidential Envoy for Middle East Affairs.
This latest diplomatic engagement comes amid renewed tensions following the return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency earlier this year. Trump has issued fresh threats against Tehran, including the possibility of military strikes and new tariffs, should Iran fail to reach a nuclear agreement acceptable to Washington.
While both sides continue to frame the nature of the talks differently &mdash; with Iran emphasizing mutual respect and constructive dialogue, and the U.S. maintaining strategic silence &mdash; the agreement to hold a second round of talks next week suggests a cautious willingness to explore a diplomatic path forward.
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News Published at 17.08 IST
In a significant diplomatic development, delegations from Iran and the United States have arrived in Muscat, the capital of Oman, for a new round of indirect negotiations cantered on Iran&rsquo;s nuclear program. The talks are scheduled to begin between 5:00 and 5:30 PM local time, with Omani officials mediating the exchange.
The Iranian delegation is led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, accompanied by key officials including Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Kazem Gharibabadi, and Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei. Upon arrival, Araghchi met with Oman&rsquo;s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, signalling Muscat&rsquo;s continued role as a trusted regional intermediary. The U.S. side is headed by Special Envoy Steven Witkoff.
These talks mark the first formal encounter&mdash;albeit indirect&mdash;between Tehran and Washington in several months. Previous rounds, held sporadically since 2021, have failed to yield a lasting framework for nuclear de-escalation. Saturday&rsquo;s discussions follow renewed American pressure demanding that Iran abandon its nuclear ambitions or face unspecified consequences.
In recent days, President Donald Trump reaffirmed his administration&rsquo;s uncompromising stance. Speaking aboard Air Force One, he repeated his long-standing warning: &ldquo;Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.&rdquo; He added that while the U.S. wishes to see a stable and prosperous Iran, military action remains a distinct possibility if Tehran refuses to cooperate.
This message was echoed by senior administration officials. Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted that the talks were driven by the necessity to prevent Iran from advancing its nuclear capabilities. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sharpened the rhetoric, warning of dire consequences should Iran defy Washington&rsquo;s expectations.
Tehran, however, has remained steadfast in its position. Araghchi characterized the meeting as both &ldquo;an opportunity and a test,&rdquo; emphasizing Iran&rsquo;s commitment to diplomacy but refusing any notion of capitulation. Speaking ahead of the talks, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei stated that Iran would carefully assess the U.S. position and respond accordingly. He noted that Iran continues to reject both direct negotiations with the U.S. and any attempt to shift mediation to other regional players, such as the UAE.
This latest round of talks comes amid a volatile regional climate. Over the past year, growing instability in West Asia&mdash;exacerbated by Israel&rsquo;s actions and wider geopolitical realignments&mdash;has increased pressure on all parties to return to the table. Still, mutual distrust runs deep. Iran remains wary of Washington&rsquo;s intentions, particularly in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018 and the re-imposition of harsh sanctions under Trump&rsquo;s leadership.
While Muscat offers a neutral venue and a glimmer of hope for diplomatic progress, both sides appear to be approaching the negotiation with hardened positions. With the clock ticking and expectations low, the outcome of these talks may depend less on immediate breakthroughs and more on whether either side demonstrates a willingness to shift from confrontation to compromise.
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US special envoy Steve Witkoff Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iranian delegation

Badr al-Busaidi: Talks in Muscat began a “quest for a fair and binding agreement”

Iran, US to Hold Second Round of Talks Next Week

Badr al-Busaidi: Talks in Muscat began a “quest for a fair and binding agreement”

April 12, 2025 | 17:08 IST