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3. Iran–U.S. Talks Begin in Oman: Iranian State TV

Iran is ready to defend itself against "excessive demands or adventurism" by the United States, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday ahead of Omani-mediated talks with U.S. officials.

The Islamic republic will take the "approach of using diplomacy to secure Iran's national interests", Araghchi said during a meeting in Muscat with Badr al-Busaidi, foreign minister of Oman.

Iran maintains "full readiness to defend the country's sovereignty and national security against any excessive demands or adventurism" by the United States, Araghchi added, as U.S. President Donald Trump refuses to rule out military action against Tehran.

Talks between Iran and the United States opened Friday in Oman, according to Iranian state television, with Tehran saying it was ready to defend itself and U.S. President Donald Trump refusing to rule out military action.

Iran has insisted the Oman-mediated talks will be centred solely on its nuclear programme, while the United States also wants to discuss Tehran's backing for militant groups in the region and its ballistic missile programme.

The talks are the first since the U.S. bombed Iranian nuclear facilities last June during a 12-day war with Israel that ended a previous round of discussions.

The Iranian delegation is being led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while US envoy Steve Witkoff is representing the United States.

AFP