Iran’s top diplomat said on Friday that nuclear talks with the US, mediated by Oman, were off to a “good start” and set to continue. The remarks could help allay concerns that failure to reach a deal might nudge the Middle East closer to war.
Foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said after the talks in the Omani capital Muscat that “any dialogue requires refraining from threats and pressure", adding: “[Tehran] only discusses its nuclear issue . . . We do not discuss any other issue with the US.”
While both sides have indicated readiness to revive diplomacy over Tehran’s nuclear dispute with the West, Washington wanted to expand the talks to cover Iran’s ballistic missiles, support for armed groups around the region and “treatment of their own people”, US secretary of state Marco Rubio said on Wednesday.
Iranian officials have repeatedly ruled out putting Iran’s missiles - one of the largest such arsenals in the Middle East - up for discussion. They have also said Tehran wants recognition of its right to enrich uranium.
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For Washington, carrying out enrichment – a possible pathway to nuclear bombs – inside Iran is a red line. Tehran has long denied any intent to weaponise nuclear fuel production.
“It was a good start to the negotiations and there is an understanding on continuing the talks,” Araghchi told Iranian state television. “Co-ordination on how to proceed will be decided in the capitals. If this process continues, I think we will reach a good framework for an understanding.”
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Mediator Badr al-Busaidi, Oman’s foreign minister, said the talks had been “very serious”, with results to be considered carefully in Tehran and Washington. The goal was to reconvene in due course.
Despite the talks, the US announced on Friday it was sanctioning 15 entities and 14 shadow-fleet vessels connected to illicit trade in Iranian petroleum, petroleum products and petrochemical products. It represents the latest US economic measures targeting Tehran and trade with it.
The Islamic Republic’s clerical leadership remains deeply worried that US president Donald Trump may still carry out his threats to strike Iran after a US naval build-up in seas in the region.
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“The lack of trust is a huge challenge during the talks and it should be overcome,” Araghchi said.
Last June, the US struck Iranian nuclear targets, joining in the final stages of a 12-day Israeli bombing campaign. Tehran has since said it has halted uranium enrichment activity.
The naval build-up, which Trump has called a massive “armada”, has followed a bloody government crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran last month, heightening tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Trump has said “bad things” will probably happen if a deal cannot be reached, increasing pressure on the Islamic Republic in a standoff that has led to mutual threats of airstrikes.
World powers and regional states fear a breakdown in the negotiations would ignite another conflict between the US and Iran that could spill over to the rest of the oil-producing region.
Iran has vowed a harsh response to any strike. It has cautioned neighbouring Gulf Arab countries that host US bases they could be in the firing line.
Negotiators will have to navigate Iran’s “red line” on discussing its missile programme. Tehran has ruled out talks on its “defence capabilities, including missiles and their range”.
However, it is willing to show “flexibility” on uranium enrichment, including by handing over 400kg of highly enriched uranium – refined closer to bomb-grade – and accepting zero enrichment under a consortium arrangement as a solution.
Iran also demands the lifting of US sanctions, reimposed since 2018 when Trump, during his first term, ditched Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with six world powers.
The US, its European allies and Israel accuse Tehran of using its nuclear energy programme as a veil for efforts to develop atomic-bomb production. Iran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes. - Reuters
