US-Iran negotiators hold ‘constructive’ nuclear talks in 1st round, to meet again on April 19 in Oman

“I think we are very close to a basis for negotiations and if we can conclude this basis next week, we’ll have gone a long way and will be able to start real discussions based on that,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, as per Reuters.

The US negotiators, represented by the Trump administration’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, hailed the first round of talks and said that “direct communication” is key to striking a deal.

President Trump had pulled out of an erstwhile nuclear agreement signed between Iran and world powers in 2018, and had said he would make a “better” deal.

In this photo released by Iranian Foreign Ministry, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left, meets his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Albusaidi prior to negotiations with U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff in Muscat, Oman. (Iranian Foreign Ministry via AP)

According to state-run news agency IRNA, the talks between US and Iran were held in a constructive atmosphere which was based on mutual respect. The agency added that the indirect negotiations went on for up to two and a half hours, after which Iranian and American delegations spoke for a few minutes in the presence of Oman’s foreign minister.

A White House statement on the US-Iran talks mediated by Oman called the meeting “very positive and constructive.”

“These issues are very complicated, and Special Envoy Witkoff’s direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome. The sides agreed to meet again next Saturday,” White House added.

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