Iran expects talks with US to proceed after ‘optimistic ambiance’ in Oman

[ad_1] Iran mentioned Friday it anticipated to carry extra negotiations with the USA, hailing a "optimistic ambiance" throughout a day of talks in Oman however warning towards threats after Washington raised the spectre of latest navy motion.

With an American naval group led by an plane service in Center Jap waters, US and Iranian delegations held talks in Muscat mediated by the Gulf sultanate with out publicly assembly face-to-face.

Shortly after the talks concluded, the US introduced new sanctions towards delivery entities and vessels, aimed toward curbing Iran's oil exports. Nevertheless it was not clear if the transfer was linked to the talks.

The talks had been the primary between the 2 foes since the USA joined Israel's struggle with Iran in June with strikes on nuclear websites.

Additionally they come just below a month after Iranian authorities launched a crackdown on protests that left 1000's useless, in accordance with rights teams.

Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi, who led Iran's delegation in Muscat, mentioned talks "targeted completely" on the Iranian nuclear programme, which the West believes is aimed toward making an atomic bomb however Tehran insists is peaceable.

Learn extra Iran-US talks targeted ‘completely’ on nuclear difficulty, Araghchi says

The US delegation, led by Center East envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's influential son-in-law Jared Kushner, had additionally needed Tehran's backing for militant teams, its ballistic missile programme and remedy of protesters on the agenda.

US particular envoy Steve Witkoff (C), Jared Kushner and Omani Overseas Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi meet in Muscat on February 6, 2026. © Handout launched by Oman's international ministry by way of AFP In line with US information web site Axios, the talks featured a direct assembly between Witkoff, Kushner and Araghchi, however there was no official affirmation from both aspect.

"In a really optimistic ambiance, our arguments had been exchanged and the views of the opposite aspect had been shared with us," Araghchi informed Iranian state TV, including that the 2 sides had "agreed to proceed negotiations, however we'll determine on the modalities and timing at a later date".

Chatting with the official IRNA information company, he expressed hope that Washington would chorus from "threats and strain" in order that "the talks can proceed".

There was no instant remark from the American delegation in Muscat.

'Destabilising energy' In a logo of the potential for US navy motion, Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of US Central Command, whose space of duty contains the Center East, was current on the talks, in accordance with pictures printed by the Oman Information Company.

A number of classes of talks within the morning and afternoon noticed either side shuttling to and from the residence of Omani Overseas Minister Badr Albusaidi, who mentioned on X "we goal to reconvene sooner or later".

The international ministry of US ally Qatar expressed hope the talks would "result in a complete settlement that serves the pursuits of each events and enhances safety and stability within the area".

The White Home has made clear it needs the talks to rein in Tehran's means to make a nuclear bomb, an ambition the Islamic republic has all the time denied.

French Overseas Minister Jean-Noël Barrot mentioned on Friday that Iran ought to cease being a "destabilising energy", citing its nuclear programme and assist for "terrorist" teams.

Barrot additionally referred to as on "teams supported by Iran" to exert "the utmost restraint" within the occasion of any navy escalation involving the Islamic republic.

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Regional powers together with Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar urged the USA to not intervene, calling on Washington and Tehran to as a substitute return to talks.

The US-based Human Rights Activists Information Company mentioned that in accordance with its newest toll 6,495 protesters had been confirmed to have been killed, in addition to 214 members of the safety forces and 61 bystanders.

Nevertheless it and different rights teams warn that the ultimate toll dangers being far greater, with the magnitude of the crackdown masked by the blanket web shutdown imposed by the authorities for a fortnight.

Virtually 51,000 persons are additionally confirmed to have been arrested, in accordance with HRANA.

However Trump's rhetoric in current days has targeted on reining within the Iranian nuclear programme and the US has manoeuvered a naval group led by plane service USS Abraham Lincoln into the area.

Iran has repeatedly vowed it should hit again at US bases within the area if attacked.

The brand new sanctions to curb Iran's oil exports include Trump "dedicated to driving down the Iranian regime's illicit oil and petrochemical exports beneath the administration's most strain marketing campaign", State Division spokesman Tommy Pigott mentioned in a press release.