Latest round of U.S.-Iran talks end, with Iran's Araghchi hailing 'a good start'

The talks between Iran and the U.S. concluded in Oman on Friday, after a series of indirect exchanges through the Omani top diplomat. Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister, said the exchange was a "good start," and the two parties agreed on continuing the negotiations, though details need to be consulted with Tehran and Washington.

"Our viewpoints were conveyed after a long time of no communication, and our concerns were transmitted. Our interests, the rights of the Iranian people, and all matters that needed to be said were conveyed in a very good atmosphere, and the views of the other side were heard," said Araghchi in a statement released Friday afternoon after the talks with the U.S. concluded.

"It was a good start, but its continuation depends on us consulting in the capitals and deciding on how to proceed," Araghchi added, while acknowledging that "there was almost a consensus about continuing the negotiations, and it was decided to continue." IRIB, Iran's state news media, reported that the talks are over "for now," citing the country's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei. 

Prior to the talks, Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi met separately with Araghchi, his Iranian counterpart, and then with the U.S. delegation led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, according to a statement made by the Omani Foreign Ministry.

The ministry statement said the talks are focused on preparing appropriate conditions for resuming diplomatic and technical negotiations.

The two meetings were only "minutes" apart, according to Mehr, Iran's semi-official news agency. Mehr also reported earlier that "a specialized technical advisory team" is in place to provide support for Iran's lead negotiator, citing political analyst Seyed Reza Sadr al-Hosseini.

The most senior U.S. military commander in the Middle East, Central Command Chief Admiral Brad Cooper, also reportedly joined the talks in Oman. Al Jazeera reported that a U.S. Air Force Boeing 737, used to transport high-ranking commanders, landed in Muscat on Friday morning, citing flight-tracking data. The Wall Street Journal also reported earlier that the U.S. delegation includes Admiral Cooper, citing an unnamed senior U.S. official.

During the meeting with the Omani foreign minister, Araghchi pointed to the Iranian government's approach of utilizing diplomacy to safeguard the country's national interests, adding that the country is fully prepared to defend its national sovereignty and security against any "excessive demand and adventurism."

The Iranian side also elaborated on its viewpoints and proposals about the issues to be discussed during the negotiations, as well as Iran's demands and considerations.

The Omani foreign minister, for his part, praised Iran's goodwill, sense of responsibility and seriousness in related diplomatic processes, highlighting the regional countries' efforts to prevent any escalation of tensions. He expressed hope that the ongoing round of negotiations would pave the way for a lasting understanding between Iran and the United States.

China also called for diplomacy to resolve the issue. Lin Jian, a spokesperson of China's Foreign Ministry, said on Friday that China hopes all parties will resolve differences through dialogue and secure regional peace and stability together. 

(With inputs from agencies)