WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has confirmed that the next round of negotiations with Iran will take place next week, describing the initial talks as positive.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said the outcome of Friday’s discussions was encouraging and claimed that Tehran was interested in reaching an agreement with Washington.
“Iran wants to make a deal with the United States,” he said, adding that further negotiations would continue in the coming days.
The US president noted that Iran appeared more prepared for progress than it was a year and a half ago. At one point, Trump reiterated that he did not want Iran to possess nuclear weapons under any circumstances.
The first round of talks between the two countries was held in Muscat, the capital of Oman, on Friday.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had earlier said both sides agreed to continue negotiations, but officials would first return to their respective capitals for consultations.
According to US media reports, Washington is seeking a complete halt to Iran’s uranium enrichment and restrictions on its ballistic missile programme as part of any future agreement.