US and Iran hold 'constructive' first round of nuclear talks

Iran and the United States have completed a first round of discussions in Oman regarding Tehran’s nuclear program, marking the highest-level talks between the two nations since 2018.

Both sides called the meeting "constructive" and confirmed that a second round is scheduled for next week. The U.S. emphasized the value of “direct communication” as crucial to the potential for a new agreement.

In 2018, then-President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the existing nuclear deal with Iran and other world powers, pledging to negotiate a “better” deal.

These latest talks are seen as a key initial step in determining whether a new agreement can be reached.

The initial meeting between Iranian and U.S. officials in Muscat, Oman lasted two and a half hours — relatively short, but reportedly respectful — and laid the groundwork for a second round of discussions.

Given the tense history between the two nations, the meeting was likely as productive as it could have been. Talks were largely indirect, mediated by Oman's top diplomat, Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi, as the delegations mostly remained in separate rooms.

This was the most significant engagement between the U.S. and Iran since former President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal during his first term.

Iran’s lead negotiator, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, described the meeting in positive terms. “In my opinion, as a first meeting, it was constructive, held in a very peaceful and respectful environment, because no inappropriate language was used,” he told Iranian state TV.

His remarks suggested that Trump’s representative, Steve Witkoff, refrained from repeating the administration’s past threats of “great danger” to Iran should the talks fail — rhetoric that has previously included hints at possible military action.

While Witkoff had previously spoken about wanting direct talks, this session was mostly mediated, though he and Araghchi did briefly speak face-to-face in the presence of al-Busaidi — a small but potentially meaningful moment.

Iran, cautious of domestic hardliner criticism, emphasized how limited the direct contact was. No official photos were taken.

Following the meeting, the White House called the talks “very positive and constructive,” stating that Witkoff conveyed his mandate to resolve differences through diplomacy, “if that is possible.”

“These issues are very complicated, and Special Envoy Witkoff’s direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome,” the statement read.

Araghchi reiterated Iran’s goal of securing a “fair agreement” and indicated that while the next round may not be held in Oman, it will still involve Omani mediation. The White House confirmed the follow-up meeting is scheduled for Saturday.

“Neither we, nor the other party, want fruitless negotiations, discussions for discussions' sake, time wasting, or talks that drag on forever,” Araghchi emphasized on Iranian state television.

The central question in these talks is what kind of agreement both sides are willing to accept.

Last month, former President Donald Trump reportedly sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader via the United Arab Emirates, expressing his desire for a deal that would prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and reduce the risk of military action by the U.S. or Israel.

Iran, meanwhile, is aiming for an agreement that would cap — but not eliminate — its nuclear program in return for relief from international sanctions.

According to an unnamed Omani source quoted by Reuters, the negotiations are also focused on easing regional tensions and potentially arranging prisoner swaps.

Trump disclosed the upcoming talks during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House on Monday. On Tuesday, Netanyahu said both leaders were united in their stance that Iran "will not have nuclear weapons."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed for a "Libya-style deal"—a reference to Libya’s complete dismantling of its weapons program under a 2003 agreement with Western powers. Such a model, however, is entirely unacceptable to Iran.

Tehran maintains that its nuclear activities are solely for peaceful purposes and insists it has no intention of developing or acquiring nuclear weapons.

Iranian officials have firmly stated that the current negotiations will focus only on the nuclear program and will not include discussions about its broader defense capabilities, such as its ballistic missile arsenal.

In the lead-up to the talks, Donald Trump said he wanted Iran “to be a wonderful, great, happy country — but they can’t have nuclear weapons.” He has repeatedly warned that the U.S. would consider military action if a deal isn't reached, while Iran has consistently rejected negotiating under threats or pressure.

Still, the talks are unfolding under significant tension. As preparations for the initial meeting were underway, the U.S. deployed additional warships and stealth bombers to the region and imposed a new round of sanctions on Iran.

Speaking from the Oval Office on Monday, Trump warned that it would be "a very bad day for Iran" if the negotiations failed.

Despite Iran’s repeated assurances that its nuclear program is peaceful, its actions since Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal tell a different story. In response to severe U.S. sanctions reimposed seven years ago, Iran has gradually violated key limits of the agreement and now possesses enough highly enriched uranium to potentially produce several nuclear weapons.

The 2015 deal restricted Iran’s uranium enrichment to 3.67% for 15 years. But as of February, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran had accumulated uranium enriched to 60% — just short of weapons-grade — and could rapidly reach the 90% threshold if it chose to.

Unlike the conditions under which the original nuclear deal was forged after nearly two years of negotiations, this new round begins with Iran’s program significantly more advanced and the regional climate far more unstable.