Araghchi says US talks are limited to nuclear issue

Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said talks he mediated between Iran and the United States in Muscat on Friday were “very serious,” adding they helped clarify both sides’ thinking and identify areas for possible progress.

“We aim to reconvene in due course, with the results to be considered carefully in Tehran and Washington,” Albusaidi said in a post on X.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said talks with the United States had a “good start” after several rounds of meetings on Friday, but said further progress would depend on consultations in the capitals.

“Several rounds of meetings were held today. Our views and concerns were conveyed in a very good atmosphere,” Araghchi said. “Overall, it was a good start, but the continuation depends on consultations in the capitals.”

“We are now at a stage where talks have begun after eight turbulent months,” Araghchi said.

He said mistrust remained a key obstacle after last year’s conflict. “After the 12-day war, mistrust emerged and that is a challenge on the path of negotiations,” he said.
“We first have to overcome this mistrust and define a framework for negotiations,” Araghchi said.

“If this approach and the other side’s outlook continue, we can reach a framework for negotiations,” Araghchi said.

He added that further talks would depend on both sides. “The continuation of the negotiations depends on the other side and, of course, on decision-making in Tehran,” he said.

Iran has moved quickly to repair ballistic missile facilities damaged in strikes last year, while reconstruction at major nuclear sites has been slower and more limited, the New York Times reported on Friday, citing satellite imagery analysis.

The newspaper said the uneven pace suggests missile production has been a short-term priority. “Threatening Israel and US bases and allies in the region with missile attacks is one of Iran’s few options to deter repeat strikes on its nuclear facilities,” John P. Caves III, an expert at the US National Defense University, told the Times.

By contrast, experts said Iran’s main nuclear enrichment sites remain largely inoperative. “We haven’t seen any intensive recovery efforts to try to get equipment out of these facilities,” Joseph Rodgers of the Center for Strategic and International Studies was quoted as saying.

David Albright, head of the Institute for Science and International Security, said recent activity near nuclear sites was raising concern but added: “We don’t think it is urgent or imminent by any means.”

Ahmad Khatami, a senior Iranian cleric, said Iran would continue uranium enrichment and dismissed international calls to suspend the program as “irrelevant.”

Ahmad Khatami, a Tehran Friday prayer lmam, said Iran did not seek nuclear energy to build an atomic bomb and was not afraid of the United States.

“Iran does not want nuclear energy for an atomic bomb,” Khatami said, adding that calls for a voluntary suspension of enrichment were “an irrelevant statement.”

He said Iran’s opposition to nuclear weapons was based on religious principles, while insisting the country would not give up its nuclear program.

Iranian security forces ran armored vehicles over protesters in at least three areas of the northwestern city of Ardabil on Jan. 9, killing one woman and seriously injuring three others, according to information received by Iran International.

Earlier this week, Iran International published a video showing an armored vehicle driving over protesters in Yahyavi Square.