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The first round of talks between Iran and the United States took place on Saturday in Oman, as both nations commenced negotiations on a nuclear deal.
In attendance were Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, U.S. Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi.
Badr al-Busaidi, who served as chief mediator in the talks held in Oman’s capital, Muscat, confirmed that discussions will continue.
In a post on X, the minister said Oman, Iran and the U.S. commenced “a process of dialogue and negotiations with the shared aim of concluding a fair and binding agreement.”
He thanked the diplomats for the engagement conducted “in a friendly atmosphere conducive to bridging viewpoints and ultimately achieving regional and global peace, security and stability.”
The Omani senior official added that the nations will continue to work together and redouble efforts to assist in arriving at the targeted goal.
The U.S. Ambassador to Oman, Ana Escrogima, accompanied Special Envoy Witkoff to the meeting, which the White House described as “very positive and constructive.”
Araghchi’s team included Deputy Political Affairs Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi and Deputy International and Legal Affairs Minister Kazem Gharibabadi.
In other news, Iran has condemned the Israeli strikes on Beirut, calling them a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei made this known in a statement on Saturday.
“The excuses made by the Zionist regime for justifying the aggression against Lebanon are totally baseless and unjustifiable,” Baqaei said.
He also called on the international community to “make decisive plans to counter the occupying regime’s constant law-breaking in the region—from Gaza to Lebanon and Syria—and the regime’s growing threats against international peace and security.”
The Israeli military carried out several airstrikes on southern Beirut on Friday after a rocket attack was launched at Israel from southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah has denied involvement in the incident and has not responded to the Israeli assaults.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, has declined a proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump to engage in renewed nuclear negotiations, reinforcing Tehran’s long-standing position against direct talks with Washington.
