TEHRAN, Feb 07 (AFP): Iran's foreign minister (FM) insisted Saturday that nuclear enrichment was an "inalienable right" for Tehran, but he was ready to reach a "reassuring" deal with the United States over the issue.
"(Nuclear) Enrichment is our inalienable right and must continue. Even with bombing they could not destroy our capabilities. We are ready to reach a reassuring agreement on enrichment," Abbas Araghchi said, according to excerpts published on his official Telegram channel of an interview with the Al Jazeera network.
US President Donald Trump said Friday Washington held "very good talks" on Iran after the two sides held an indirect dialogue in Oman.
Iran for its part said it expected to hold more negotiations with the United States, hailing a "positive atmosphere" during a day of talks in the Gulf sultanate.
With an American naval group led by an aircraft carrier in Middle Eastern waters, US and Iranian delegations held talks in Muscat mediated by Oman without publicly meeting face-to-face.
Shortly after the talks concluded, the US announced new sanctions against shipping entities and vessels, aimed at curbing Iran's oil exports. But it was not clear if the move was linked to the talks.
The talks were the first between the two foes since the United States joined Israel's war with Iran in June with strikes on nuclear sites.
"We likewise had very good talks on Iran," Trump told reporters on board Air Force One en route to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, adding, "we're going to meet again early next week."
However, as Iran warned against further threats after Washington raised the spectre of new military action, Trump said: "If they don't make a deal, the consequences are very steep."
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who led Iran's delegation in Muscat, said talks "focused exclusively" on the Iranian nuclear program, which the West believes is aimed at making an atomic bomb but Tehran insists is peaceful.
The US delegation, led by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's influential son-in-law Jared Kushner, had also wanted Tehran's backing for militant groups, its ballistic missile program and treatment of protesters on the agenda.
"In a very positive atmosphere, our arguments were exchanged and the views of the other side were shared with us," Araghchi told Iranian state TV, adding that the two sides had "agreed to continue negotiations."
Speaking to the official IRNA news agency, Araghchi expressed hope that Washington would refrain from "threats and pressure" so that "the talks can continue."
Araghchi said on Saturday that his country would target US bases in the region if Washington attacked Iranian territory.
"There is no possibility of attacking American soil if Washington attacks us, but we will attack their bases in the region," said Araghchi, according to excerpts published on his official Telegram channel during an interview with the Al Jazeera network.
Araghchi said on Saturday he hoped talks with the United States would resume soon, while reiterating Tehran's red lines and warning against any American attack.
According to excerpts published on his official Telegram channel during an interview with the Al Jazeera network, Araghchi said that Iran's missile programme was "never negotiable" in Friday's talks in Oman.
He warned that Tehran would target US bases in the region if the US attacked Iranian territory.
However, Araghchi also said that despite the talks in Muscat being indirect, "an opportunity arose to shake hands with the American delegation".
He called the talks "a good start", but added that building trust would take time. He said the talks would resume "soon".
US President Donald Trump on Friday called the talks "very good", and pledged another round of negotiations next week.
Despite this, he signed an executive order effective from Saturday that called for the "imposition of tariffs" on countries still doing business with Iran.
The United States also announced new sanctions against numerous shipping entities and vessels, aimed at curbing Iran's oil exports.
More than a quarter of Iran's trade is with China, with $18 billion in imports and $14.5 billion in exports in 2024, according to World Trade Organization data.
