Iran’s top diplomat said nuclear talks with the US, led by Oman, had made a “good start” and would continue, allaying concerns that the lack of a deal could push the Middle East closer to war.
But Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reiterated that he wanted the talks to focus solely on the country’s nuclear program.
‘Any dialogue requires the renunciation of threats and pressure. [Iran] discusses only the nuclear issue… We do not discuss any other issue with the US,” he said.
Talks took place in the Omani capital Muscat on Friday, involving Araqchi, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
The US has sought to expand dialogue to include Iran’s ballistic missiles, support for armed groups in the region and the “treatment of its own people,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday.
A regional diplomat briefed on the talks by Iran said Iran had insisted on its “right to enrich uranium” during negotiations with the US, and that its missile capabilities were not discussed during the talks.
Trump increased pressure on Iran on Friday with an executive order imposing a 25 percent tariff on any country that “directly or indirectly” buys goods from Iran, following up on a threat he made last month.
The White House has said the measure is aimed at deterring third countries from pursuing commercial ties with Iran, particularly in energy, metals and petrochemicals, sectors that remain important sources of revenue for the Iranian government.
‘Very serious’ conversations, says Oman
Mediator Badr al-Busaidi, Oman’s foreign minister, said the talks had been “very serious” and that the aim was to meet again in due course.
Despite the talks, the United States announced Friday that it is imposing sanctions on 15 entities and 14 shadow fleet vessels involved in the illicit trade of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products and petrochemicals.
Iran’s leadership remains deeply concerned that Trump will carry out his threats to attack Iran following a US military buildup in the region.
Last June, the US attacked Iranian nuclear targets, participating in the final phase of a 12-day Israeli bombing campaign. Iran has since said it has halted uranium enrichment activities.
The buildup of the Navy, which Trump has called a massive “armada,” followed a bloody government crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran last month, which has increased tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
Trump has said “bad things” are likely to happen if a deal cannot be reached, increasing pressure on the Islamic Republic in a standoff that has led to mutual threats of air strikes
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