TEHRAN: Iran said Friday it expected to hold more negotiations with the United States, hailing a "positive atmosphere" during a day of talks in Oman but warning against threats after Washington raised the spectre of new military action.
With an American naval group led by an aircraft carrier in Middle Eastern waters, US and Iranian delegations held talks in Muscat mediated by the Gulf sultanate without publicly meeting face-to-face.
Shortly after the talks concluded, the US announced new sanctions against shipping entities and vessels, aimed at curbing Iran's oil exports. But it was not clear if the move was linked to the talks.
The talks were the first between the two foes since the United States joined Israel's war with Iran in June with strikes on nuclear sites.
They also come just under a month after Iranian authorities launched a crackdown on protests that left thousands dead, according to rights groups.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who led Iran's delegation in Muscat, said talks "focused exclusively" on the Iranian nuclear program, which the West believes is aimed at making an atomic bomb but Tehran insists is peaceful.
The US delegation, led by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's influential son-in-law Jared Kushner, had also wanted Tehran's backing for fighter groups, its ballistic missile program, and treatment of protesters on the agenda.
According to US news website Axios, the talks featured a direct meeting between Witkoff, Kushner, and Araghchi, but there was no official confirmation from either side.
"In a very positive atmosphere, our arguments were exchanged, and the views of the other side were shared with us," Araghchi told Iranian state TV, adding that the two sides had "agreed to continue negotiations, but we will decide on the modalities and timing at a later date".
Speaking to the official IRNA news agency, he expressed hope that Washington would refrain from "threats and pressure" so that "the talks can continue."
There was no immediate comment from the American delegation in Muscat.
'Destabilising power'
In a symbol of the potential for US military action, Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of US Central Command, whose area of responsibility includes the Middle East, was present at the talks, according to images published by the Oman News Agency.
Multiple sessions of talks in the morning and afternoon saw both sides shuttling to and from the residence of Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who said on X, "we aim to reconvene in due course."
The foreign ministry of US ally Qatar expressed hope the talks would "lead to a comprehensive agreement that serves the interests of both parties and enhances security and stability in the region."
The White House has made clear it wants the talks to rein in Tehran's ability to make a nuclear bomb, an ambition the Islamic Republic has always denied.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Friday that Iran should stop being a "destabilising power", citing its nuclear programme and support for "terrorist" groups.
Barrot also called on "groups supported by Iran" to exert "the utmost restraint" in the event of any military escalation involving the Islamic Republic.
'Maximum pressure'
Trump initially threatened military action against Tehran over its crackdown on protesters last month and even told demonstrators, "help is on its way."
Regional powers, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, urged the United States not to intervene, calling on Washington and Tehran to instead return to talks.
But Trump's rhetoric in recent days has focused on reining in the Iranian nuclear program, and the US has maneuvered a naval group led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln into the region.
Iran has repeatedly vowed it will hit back at US bases in the region if attacked.
The new sanctions to curb Iran's oil exports come with Trump "committed to driving down the Iranian regime's illicit oil and petrochemical exports under the administration's maximum pressure campaign," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement.
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