Witkoff says Iran talks were 'very positive, constructive' - NBC News

Apr 12, 2025, 17:17 GMT+1

“We had a very positive and constructive conversation" with Iran, NBC News reported citing chief US negotiator Steve Witkoff.

The US envoy, who is returning to the United States today from Oman, said the talks with Iran will continue on April 19.

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Iranian state TV says Trump to make remarks to sway public, bypass US team

Apr 12, 2025, 16:51 GMT+1

US President Donald Trump is expected to make remarks in the coming hours aimed at influencing public opinion and the course of negotiations between Washington and Tehran, Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported on Saturday, citing a regional source.

Trump’s comments would be “emotional and unrealistic”, the report cited the source as saying, and would hold no value beyond shaping public perception.

The report added that Trump's remarks may not be coordinated with the US delegation currently involved in the talks.

Tehran says talks next Saturday will discuss framework of possible deal

Apr 12, 2025, 16:28 GMT+1

The next round of talks between Iran and the United States will be held next Saturday, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters after the conclusion of the first round.

Araghchi said Oman will continue to host the talks next week, although the venue is likely to change.

The two sides will discuss the general framework of a potential agreement next week, Araghchi said, adding that a timeframe for a potential deal will be discussed in the next round of negotiations.

He described the talks concluded today in Oman as constructive, held in a calm and respectful environment.

Araghchi thanked the Omani mediator for making four trips between the Iranian and US delegations during the indirect talks, which he said lasted about two and a half hours.

He also said that no disrespectful language was used throughout the discussions.

Asked about his brief meeting with top US negotiator Steve Witkoff on the sidelines of the talks, Araghchi said, “Nothing extraordinary was exchanged with the US delegation."

"We simply greeted each other and spoke briefly after our delegations happened to cross paths while leaving the talks,” he added.

Former US negotiator warns against hyping direct Iran-US conversation

Apr 12, 2025, 16:10 GMT+1

A former US official involved in crafting sanctions against Iran during the Obama administration cautioned against overstating the significance of the brief exchange between Iranian and American chief negotiators, Abbas Araghchi and Steve Witkoff, after indirect Iran-US talks in Oman.

“This has value, but let's not go overboard here," Richard Nephew, a former US negotiator during previous nuclear talks with Iran said in a post on X.

"Yes, it is a positive sign as is the continuation of talks. But, Iran could have dropped this at any time and they picked a good tactical moment.”

Iran negotiating team pictured huddling in Muscat

Apr 12, 2025, 16:02 GMT+1

A photograph circulating on social media shows members of the Iranian negotiating team including foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and deputies Majid Takht-Ravanchi and Kazem Gharibabadi conversing after the conclusion of talks with the US in Oman.

Oman says Iran-US talks began in friendly atmosphere aimed at fair deal

Apr 12, 2025, 15:40 GMT+1

Oman's foreign minister Badr al-Busaidi said talks between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff in Muscat began in a friendly atmosphere aimed at reaching a fair and binding agreement.

"The engagement took place in a friendly atmosphere conducive to bridging viewpoints and ultimately achieving regional and global peace, security and stability," he said in a post on X.

"We will continue to work together and put further efforts to assist in arriving at this goal," he added.