Iran says talks with US are 'constructive', next talks scheduled for 19 April

MOSCOW - The Iranian Foreign Ministry says a second round of talks between Iran and the United States will take place on April 19 after the two sides concluded "indirect" talks in a "constructive" atmosphere in the Omani capital Muscat on Saturday. The two-and-a-half-hour talks between Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff focused on Tehran's nuclear issue and sanctions relief, the ministry said in a statement.

It added that the two sides had agreed to resume talks next week, noting that the heads of the two countries' delegations spoke for several minutes in the presence of the Omani foreign minister as they left the venue. Speaking to reporters in Muscat after the talks, Araghchi said the first round of talks was "constructive and took place in a calm and very respectful atmosphere".

"No inappropriate language was used and both sides demonstrated their commitment to proceed with the talks until a mutually beneficial agreement was reached from a position of equality," he added. The minister revealed that the second round of talks "is scheduled to be held at the same level next Saturday, but the venue is unlikely to be this place (Muscat)."

Both sides have decided to enter the next round within the general framework needed for an agreement, Araghchi said, adding that both sides favour reaching a deal as soon as possible. He added that in the next round of talks, "we will try to enter into an agenda for negotiations, which of course will have a timetable alongside it," and expressed hope that in the upcoming talks, both sides will be able to complete the basis for starting "real talks."

The Muscat meeting took place after US President Donald Trump said in early March that he had sent a letter to Iranian officials - through the United Arab Emirates - proposing negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme. Iran later confirmed that it had received the letter and kept the door open for indirect engagement.

CMG/Xinhua/gnews.cz-jav