Iran said it expected further negotiations with the United States, describing a “positive atmosphere” during a day of talks in the Gulf sultanate.
With a US naval group led by an aircraft carrier operating in Middle Eastern waters, American and Iranian delegations held talks in Muscat mediated by Oman without publicly meeting face-to-face.
Shortly after the talks concluded, the United States announced new sanctions targeting shipping entities and vessels to curb Iran’s oil exports. It was not immediately clear whether the move was linked to the talks.
The discussions were the first between the two adversaries since the United States joined Israel’s war with Iran in June, carrying out strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
“We likewise had very good talks on Iran,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. “We’re going to meet again early next week.”
However, as Iran warned against further threats after Washington raised the prospect of new military action, Trump said: “If they don’t make a deal, the consequences are very steep.”
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who led Iran’s delegation in Muscat, said the talks “focused exclusively” on Iran’s nuclear program, which Western countries believe is aimed at developing an atomic bomb, a claim Tehran denies.
The U.S. delegation, led by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, also sought to raise Iran’s support for militant groups, its ballistic missile program, and its treatment of protesters.
“In a very positive atmosphere, our arguments were exchanged, and the views of the other side were conveyed to us,” Araghchi told Iranian state television, adding that the sides had “agreed to continue negotiations.”
Speaking to the official IRNA news agency, Araghchi said he hoped Washington would refrain from “threats and pressure” so that “the talks can continue.”
Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, attended the talks, according to images released by Oman’s state news agency.
Several sessions were held in the morning and afternoon, with both delegations travelling to and from the residence of Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi.
Qatar’s foreign ministry 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 said it wants negotiations to curb Iran’s ability to produce a nuclear weapon, an ambition Iran has consistently denied.
Read: Iran says talks with US in Oman were ‘good start’
Trump initially threatened military action over Iran’s crackdown on protesters last month, which rights groups say killed thousands, telling demonstrators that “help is on its way.”
Regional powers, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, urged the United States not to intervene, calling instead for renewed talks between Washington and Tehran.
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said Friday it had confirmed the deaths of 6,505 protesters, as well as 214 security personnel and 61 bystanders.
Those figures are expected to rise, rights groups say, because the scale of the crackdown was obscured by a nationwide internet shutdown imposed for two weeks.
Nearly 51,000 people have also been confirmed arrested amid what HRANA described as a growing use of forced confessions.
New sanctions aimed at curbing Iran’s oil exports reflect Trump’s commitment to driving down what Washington describes as the regime’s illicit oil and petrochemical trade under a policy of maximum pressure, State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said.