US, Iran wrap up first round of talks over nuclear programme

Iranian and US conveys on Friday held indirect talks in the Gulf Arab state of Oman over Tehran's nuclear programme, with more follow-up talks expected next week.

It was the first round of negotiations between the two sides since the US and Israel's strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities last summer.

The United Nations and several nations in the Middle East expressed welcome for the resumption of the talks which they hope would open a diplomatic path to ease tensions.

US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner joined the meetings held in Oman's capital Muscat. It was also the first time America brought its top military commander in the Middle East Brad Cooper to the table.

Trump told reporters that his administration will hold more talks early next week, hours after what he described as "very good" dialogue ended.

He made the remarks when on board Air Force One en route to his Florida golf club late Friday.

He contended Iran was willing to "do more" than in earlier negotiations, but did not give details, while keeping up the military pressure in the region.

"Iran looks like it wants to make a deal very badly, we have to see what that deal is...Last time they decided maybe not to do it, but I think they probably feel differently. We'll see what the deal is, and it'd be different than last time. And we have a big armada, we have big fleet heading in that direction. It'll be there pretty soon. So we'll see how that works out."

Trump has warned steep consequences if Tehran fails to reach the deal on the programme.

He said, "We're going to meet again early next week. And they want to make a deal...as they should want to make a deal. They know the consequences. If they don't - if they don't make a deal, the consequences are very steep."

Earlier, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the US president has many options aside from diplomacy to approach the issue.

Iran's foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi noted the Friday talks focused solely on nuclear.

The "deep distrust" formed in the past dealings with Washington posed grave challenges to the negotiations, he added.

In another development, the American government announced a new round of sanctions targeting 15 entities, two individuals and 14 so-called shadow fleet vessels tied to Iran's oil and petrochemical exports.