US, Iran hold N-talks under shadow of W Asia tensions

Iran and the US held "productive" talks in Muscat, Oman on Saturday and agreed to reconvene next week, Tehran said, a dialogue meant to address Tehran's escalating nuclear programme with President Donald Trump threatening military action if there is no deal.

- Agencies

MUSCAT/WASHINGTON:

Signs of progress could help cool tensions in a region aflame since 2023 with wars in Gaza and Lebanon, missile fire between Iran and Israel, Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping and the overthrow of the government in Syria.

"I think we are very close to a basis for negotiations and if we can conclude this basis next week, we'll have gone a long way and will be able to start real discussions based on that," Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi told state television.