Tehran, 13 April 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Iran and the US are set to continue their nuclear negotiations in a week, after completing a first round of talks on Saturday, Tehran's envoy said.

Further exchanges are planned on April 19, said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who led his country's delegation in Muscat, Oman.

Iran's Foreign Ministry described the talks as "constructive and mutually respectful."

The United States was led by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

The White House said in a statement the discussions were "very positive and constructive," while thanking Oman for its support of the initiative.

"Special Envoy Witkoff underscored to Dr. Araghchi that he had instructions from President [Donald] Trump to resolve our two nations’ differences through dialogue and diplomacy, if that is possible," the statement said.

"These issues are very complicated, and Special Envoy Witkoff’s direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome."

The White House statement confirmed the two sides planned to meet again on April 19.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, who was the chief mediator, posted on X that there was a "friendly atmosphere" at the dialogue, which was seen as a key first step in determining whether a deal between the rivals is even possible.

The negotiations lasted about two and a half hours and took place in separate rooms with Omani officials relaying messages between the delegations.

However, Araghchi and Witkoff spoke briefly face-to-face at the conclusion of the talks on Saturday, according to Iran.

No details on the outcome of the discussions were immediately released, beyond that they would continue in one week.

In 2018, during his first term, Trump pulled the US out of the previous nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers, calling it a "horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made."

That deal aimed to restrict Iran's nuclear ambitions in return for the lifting of sanctions. Since then, the US has reapplied sanctions and Tehran has stopped adhering to the terms of the agreement.

Last month, Trump proposed negotiations with Iran over a new deal, while warning of military action if Tehran did not agree to curtail its controversial nuclear programme.

After several days of deliberations, Tehran agreed to the talks - partly in the hope of getting relief from the crippling sanctions imposed by the US, which are seen as a key factor in Iran's current economic struggles.

Ahead of the talks, Araghchi said he hoped many core issues could be addressed in the talks. "If there is sufficient will, we will decide on a timetable," he told state television, emphasizing the goal of reaching a fair agreement based on equality.

Araghchi previously served as the deputy head of Iran's delegation during the last round of nuclear negotiations between 2013 and 2015.

Photo: EPA