US and Iranian diplomats began indirect talks in Oman on Saturday to resolve Western concerns about Iran’s nuclear program.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses on Sunday described Oman’s first interim contact as “productive” and “a good step.”
He said that CBS’s “facing the people” and that President Donald Trump didn’t need to resort to military options, but that “we have shown the ability to go far, deep and grow.”
Trump said on Wednesday that military action could be “absolutely” along with Israel if talks in Oman fail.
“If that requires the army, we’re going to have the army,” he told reporters. “Israel will obviously be very involved in that, he will be its leader.”
It followed a dull warning in late March that “If they didn’t make a deal, there would be bombing.”
The Iranian and American delegations held their first round in Oman on Saturday, with Oman’s foreign minister acting as mediator.
Saturday’s exchange between Tehaan and Washington was indirect and mediated by Oman. Each delegation had a separate room and exchanged messages through the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Oman.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragut said his delegation had a brief encounter with Witkov’s US counterparts after they had finished consultations.
“After the end of more than 2-1/2 hours of indirect consultations, the head of the Iranian and American delegations spoke for a few minutes before the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Oman when they left the consultation. The encounter was based on our political etiquette.”
Araghchi said the consultation took place in a “productive, calm and positive atmosphere.”
MNA/