Iran-US talks gaining momentum, Oman's foreign minister says

Iran and the United States "have agreed to enter into the next phase of their discussions that aim to seal a fair, enduring and binding deal which will ensure Iran completely free of nuclear weapons and sanctions, and maintaining its ability to develop peaceful nuclear energy,” a spokesman at Oman's foreign ministry said in statement posted on X.

“It is only in dialogue and clear communication that we will be able to achieve a mutually credible agreement and understanding for the benefit of all concerned regionally and internationally,” the statement added.

According to the statement, the next round of talks will take place in Muscat in the coming days.

The latest round of talks with the United States in Rome was productive, and technical negotiations are set to resume in Oman later this week, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters on Saturday.

"“It was a good meeting; the negotiations are progressing,” Araghchi said adding that talks on Saturday lasted roughly four hours.

"We managed to reach a better understanding on a number of principles and goals," he added.

He added that technical talks at the expert level will be held in Oman starting Wednesday this week.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman also described the second round of talks as constructive.

“There were useful indirect talks today between Iran and the United States conducted by Oman Foreign Minister in a constructive atmosphere,” Esmaeil Baghaei wrote on X.

"The two sides agreed to continue the indirect talks in few days at technical level to be followed by another round at their own level on coming Saturday," he added.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman described the second round of talks with the United States in Rome as constructive and indirect.

“There were useful indirect talks today between Iran and the United States conducted by Oman Foreign Minister in a constructive atmosphere,” Esmaeil Baghaei wrote on X.

"The two sides agreed to continue the indirect talks in few days at technical level to be followed by another round at their own level on coming Saturday," he added.

The second round of talks between Iran and the United States in Rome has concluded, Iran's state broadcaster announced.

Live footage from the venue shows the US delegation has left the compound where the talks were being held.

Iranian negotiators have no plans to meet with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi during Saturday's nuclear negotiations with the United States in Rome, and he is not present at the talks, Iran’s semi-official ISNA news agency reported on Saturday, citing a source close to the Iranian delegation.

“Grossi was in Tehran last week and held extensive discussions with relevant Iranian officials,” ISNA quoted the source as saying.

"No meeting between Grossi and the Iranian delegation in Rome is scheduled.”

The report added that only representatives from Iran, the United States, and Oman are present at the venue in Rome, adding that no other parties are involved in the current round of negotiations.