Iran-US talks make progress, resume Monday, says Omani mediator
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that talks with US negotiators will continue in Vienna next week, following the development that the Omani mediator praised as “significant progress” in indirect talks in Geneva.
Araghchi told Iranian state television: “We have started serious talks on sanctions relief and the nuclear issue, one of the most serious talks we have had with the United States.
“Technical talks will begin in Vienna on Monday. Both sides need to consult in their respective capitals.”
Omani foreign minister Badr al-Busaidi wrote to X that “significant progress in negotiations” had been made at the Omani diplomatic residence. He confirmed that next week’s talks will be held in Vienna, home of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
He had previously said the two sides had exchanged “creative and positive ideas”.
There has been no comment yet from US officials.
Analysts were concerned that ending the talks without an immediate agreement could lead to US military intervention against Iran.
U.S. President Donald Trump wants a deal to restrict Iran’s nuclear program and sees an opportunity as the country struggles with growing opposition following nationwide protests in January.
Iran, meanwhile, has argued that it wants to continue enriching uranium even if its program is in ruins, after Mr Trump ordered attacks on the Islamic Republic’s three nuclear facilities in June as part of a 12-day war in 2025.
Iran has said that in the event of an American attack, all US military bases in the Middle East would be considered legitimate targets and tens of thousands of American soldiers would be put at risk.
Oman released photos of US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Whitkoff during the talks.
Iran has also threatened to attack Israel; This means that a regional war may break out again in the Middle East.
“There will be no victory for anyone, it will be a devastating war,” Araghchi told India Today in an interview filmed just before flying to Geneva.
Democratic leaders in Washington say they will push for a vote next week on legislation requiring U.S. President Trump to end military force against Iran unless authorized by an explicit declaration of war from Congress.
Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries was joined in the announcement by several Democrats who serve as ranking members on committees with jurisdiction.
“It is reckless to engage in a war of choice in the Middle East without fully understanding all the risks to our soldiers and escalation,” the statement said. “We argue that such action without consulting and authorizing Congress would be unconstitutional.”
He said Tehran is not currently enriching uranium but “they are trying to get to the point where they can eventually do that.”
Oman is acting as a mediator between Araghchi and Steve Witkoff, a billionaire real estate developer and friend of Mr. Trump who serves as the president’s special Middle East envoy.
The two men held rounds of talks in 2025 that failed after Israel launched a war against Iran in June.
On Thursday, Oman later released footage of Witkoff and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner meeting al-Busaidi at the residence, as well as footage showing al-Busaidi meeting with Araghchi, signaling the start of talks.
In this round of talks following the June war, Mr. Trump has pressed for a complete halt to Iran’s uranium enrichment as well as addressing Tehran’s ballistic missile program and support for regional militant forces.
Iran argues that talks should remain focused solely on nuclear issues.
Iran is “always trying to rebuild elements” of its nuclear program, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on Wednesday.
Iran said it had not enriched itself since June but prevented International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors from visiting sites bombed by America.
The West and the IAEA say Iran had a nuclear weapons program until 2003.
Before the June attack, it was enriching uranium to 60 percent purity; this was a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 percent.
US intelligence agencies assess that Iran has not yet restarted a weapons program but is “taking actions that would better position itself to produce a nuclear device if it so chooses.”
Iranian officials, who insist that its program is peaceful, have threatened to go after the bomb in recent years.
