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By Frances Mao
World Editor
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Iran has described the first round of official talks it has had with the U.S. since missile exchanges last summer as a "very good start," in a sign of slightly easing tensions in the Middle East.
Both sides held indirect talks through a mediator, Oman, on Friday following ratcheting tensions that the U.S. could strike Iran as part of a response to Tehran's recent bloody crackdown on protesters.
The U.S. has built up its military presence in the Gulf in recent weeks, deploying warships and fighter jets to waters off Iran after Trump urged Iranians to keep protesting—despite mass killings—saying U.S. help was on the way.
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The military build-up had led to escalating rhetoric and threats between both sides. Friday's talks were brokered by Qatar, Turkey and other regional powers concerned about tensions escalating into conflict.
President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, traveled to Muscat, the Omani capital, conveying messages through Oman's foreign minister to the Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The last time the U.S. and Iran were scheduled to have formal negotiations on Iran's nuclear program was in June 2025, however these were derailed after Israel launched its 12-day military bombardment campaign of Iran.
The U.S. joined in the tail-end of the campaign, with strikes targeting Iran's nuclear bases. Tehran has said its uranium enrichment work has stopped since then.
Trump had warned again that he would launch strikes if Iran didn't come to the table on a deal on its nuclear program. His administration had also said it wanted talks to limit Iran's arsenal of missiles and to discuss the country's treatment of its citizens. The government has acknowledged that thousands of people were killed in protests last month.
Tehran had insisted that the talks should not include negotiations on its ballistic missiles, warning that this was a "red line."
Araghchi said at the close of negotiations on Friday that the talks had been positive, and focused “solely” on nuclear negotiations. "We did not discuss any other topics with the Americans.”
He added that the talks would continue at an unspecified time.
Speaking to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, he said: "If this process continues, I think we will reach a good framework for an understanding."
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Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, but Western countries have accused it of trying to develop nuclear weapons.
Iran has also called for the removal of sanctions, which were imposed again after Trump during his first term in office walked of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and European powers.
The sanctions have contributed to Iran's tanking economy, which triggered the nationwide protests around the start of the year. Since the Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran in June, the local rial currency has dropped more than 40 percent in value.
Iranian Foreign Minister's Full Comments
“Today we held intensive and lengthy talks, from 10 a.m. until nearly 6 p.m.
Several rounds of indirect meetings were conducted.
Mr. Badr Albusaidi, Oman’s Foreign Minister, made significant efforts today, both in terms of hospitality and hosting, as well as in conveying the statements and messages of the two sides to each other.
Multiple rounds of meetings were held, including discussions we had with him, followed by his exchanges with the other side.
After a long period without dialogue, our viewpoints were conveyed, and our concerns were expressed. Our interests, the rights of the Iranian people, and all matters that needed to be stated were presented in a very positive atmosphere, and the other side’s views were also heard.
It was a good start, but its continuation depends on consultations in our respective capitals and deciding on how to proceed.
Regarding the very principle of continuing the negotiations, there is almost a consensus, and it was agreed that they should continue.
However, the timing, format, and date will be determined in subsequent consultations, which will be conducted through Oman’s foreign minister, God willing.
In my view, a positive atmosphere prevailed, and in one sentence I can say: it was a good start.”
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