US, Iran hold N-talks under shadow of regional conflict

The United States and Iran opened high-stakes talks on Tehran's nuclear programme on Saturday with President Donald Trump threatening military action if they fail to produce a deal.

- Agencies

MUSCAT, OMAN:

The two sides entered "indirect" talks — via an intermediary — in the Omani capital Muscat, Iran's foreign ministry said. The Americans had called for the meetings to be face-to-face.

Disagreement over the format indicated the task facing the long-term adversaries, who are seeking a new nuclear deal after Trump pulled out of an earlier agreement during his first term in 2018.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is leading the Iranian delegation while Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff heads the US team.

"Our intention is to reach a fair and honourable agreement from an equal position," Araghchi said in a video posted by Iranian state TV.

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.