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US and Iran conclude indirect talks in Oman

14 April 2025

The first round of indirect nuclear talks between the US and Iran concluded on 12 April in Muscat, with the meeting described by both parties as "constructive".

Iran's lead negotiator, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, said the first meeting "was a constructive meeting held in a very peaceful and respectful environment, because no inappropriate language was used".

According to the BBC, Araghchi's tone suggests the US team led by US President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff did not reiterate some of the president's threats that Iran would face "great danger" – implying possible military strikes – if this dialogue did not succeed. 

MEED understands the two-and-a-half-hour meeting ran with the delegations in separate rooms, relaying messages through Oman's foreign minister, Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi.

Witkoff, who is leading the US delegation, had previously only spoken of meeting face-to-face.

It is understood that Araghchi and Witkoff did speak for a few minutes in the presence of Al-Busaidi, although no photographs were taken.

Both parties confirmed a second round of talks will take place this week.

The negotiations aim to revisit a potential nuclear deal that can satisfy both sides after Trump unilaterally withdrew in 2018 from the 2015 multilateral Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreed upon by Iran and the P5+1 – the permanent UN Security Council members and Germany – and the EU.

The JCPOA had restricted Tehran to enriching uranium to 3.67%, which is enough as fuel for a nuclear power plant but nothing more.

Iran was also limited to no more than 300 kilograms of that uranium.

Since the deal collapsed in 2018, however, Iran has enriched uranium to 60% and produced enough to allow for the development of at least one nuclear weapon.

The US is now demanding the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities, and Trump has threatened military action if Iran fails to comply, while Iran has threatened to retaliate if attacked, raising the risk of potential conflict if talks fail.

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Jennifer Aguinaldo

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