Iran hails 'a good start' to peace talks with the US

Iran last night hailed 'a good start' to peace talks with the US – despite a warning for American citizens to leave the country.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sounded a positive note after negotiations in Oman, though it was unclear what progress was made.

For weeks, the US has increased its military presence in the Middle East amid threats of action by Donald Trump should Iran refuse to give up its nuclear ambitions. The US President has been wavering about whether to intervene militarily since the dictatorship in Tehran brutally put down an insurrection last month.

Protesters hoping to topple Ayatollah Khamenei's theocracy expressed disappointment when Mr Trump backed down on promises to support their cause.

Thousands of protesters were killed and injured after secret police responded to riots across Iran. The regime switched off the internet and phone signals to prevent Iranians publicising the suffering worldwide.

Last night Mr Araghchi said the preliminary discussions 'focused on preparing the appropriate conditions for resuming diplomatic and technical negotiations'. The indirect talks, involving US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, saw Oman's foreign minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi act as intermediary.

Mr Araghchi added: 'It was a good start to the negotiations, and there is an understanding on continuing the talks. Coordination on how to proceed will be decided in the capitals. If this process continues, I think we will reach a good framework for an understanding.'

Mr Araghchi told Iranian media outlets further dialogue would depend on the US desisting from making threats towards the country. He said that 'a great mistrust' had built up between Iran and the US. The US's 'virtual embassy' in Tehran issued a security alert yesterday urging US citizens to 'leave Iran now' and to prepare departure plans that do not rely on US government assistance.

Also yesterday, the White House reiterated the US was pushing for 'zero nuclear capacity' in Iran, both for developing nuclear weapons and for energy supplies.

It said Mr Trump had 'many options at his disposal as the commander in chief of the most powerful military in the world'.

The US has also made demands that Iran reduce its stockpile of ballistic missiles and cut off support for regional proxy groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas. Last night, Iran denied the talks had touched on these subjects.

In June last year the US struck Iranian nuclear targets in a devastating attack using long-range stealth bombers. Mr Trump has threatened 'bad things' will happen to Iran if it does not make a deal with the US. But the likes of Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia are warning against military action.

However, regional ally Israel is pushing for the US to strike after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran was trying to build atomic weapons and 20,000 ballistic missiles.