US, Iran delegations start talks in Oman focusing on nuclear issue

ISTANBUL / TEHRAN, Iran

US and Iranian delegations on Friday started Omani-mediated indirect talks focusing on the nuclear issue, Iran's state broadcaster said.

The negotiation process began with separate meetings of Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, and then with Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's special envoy for the Middle East.

The Iranian and US delegations are still in separate rooms. Following the separate meetings with the Omani delegation, the US and the Iranian teams will exchange notes through Omani mediation.

US and Omani authorities have not yet officially confirmed these reports.

The talks come amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran fueled by an American military buildup in the Persian Gulf and repeated threats of military action by Trump.

Iran is represented by a delegation headed by Araghchi. According to IRNA, he is accompanied by Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Foreign Ministry deputy for political affairs; Esmaeil Baghaei, ministry spokesperson; Hamid Ghanbari, ministry deputy for economic affairs; and other Iranian diplomats.

According to the US officials, Steve Witkoff, the US president's special envoy for the Middle East, and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and unofficial aide, are representing the United States in the talks.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the head of US Central Command (CENTCOM) will join the talks. No official confirmation of this report has yet been issued.

ISTANBUL / TEHRAN, Iran

US and Iranian delegations on Friday started Omani-mediated indirect talks focusing on the nuclear issue, Iran's state broadcaster said.

The Iranian and US delegations are still in separate rooms. Following the separate meetings with the Omani delegation, the US and the Iranian teams will exchange notes through Omani mediation.

US and Omani authorities have not yet officially confirmed these reports.

The talks come amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran fueled by an American military buildup in the Persian Gulf and repeated threats of military action by Trump.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the head of US Central Command (CENTCOM) will join the talks. No official confirmation of this report has yet been issued.