US President Donald Trump said the United States had “very good talks” with Iran on Friday after an indirect dialogue between American and Iranian officials in Muscat Oman marking a significant diplomatic engagement amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One as he traveled to his Mar a Lago resort in Florida Trump said Iran “looks like it wants to make a deal very badly,” and that negotiators from both sides would meet again early next week to continue discussions.
The talks were mediated by Oman and involved senior officials including Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s adviser Jared Kushner. Rather than meeting face to face the two delegations communicated indirectly through the Omani hosts.
Araghchi described the discussions as a “good start,” signaling a willingness to keep diplomatic channels open despite the long standing mistrust between Tehran and Washington. Iran’s delegation stressed that the talks focused on its nuclear programme which remains the central issue dividing the two sides.
Trump while upbeat about the progress also warned that there would be “steep consequences” if Iran failed to reach a deal with the United States. He made clear that the U.S. is not “in a rush” to secure an agreement but both sides appear committed to continuing negotiations amid fears that a breakdown in talks could exacerbate regional instability.
