According to Iran's foreign minister, high-level talks between the US and Iran will resume following a meeting in Oman, as the two countries seek to address tensions that had sparked concerns of a potential conflict.

Abbas Araghchi characterized the Oman talks as a positive initial step, focusing solely on nuclear issues, and stated that the negotiating teams would now return to their respective capitals to confer with their governments.

Prior to the discussions, American officials indicated that they also intended to broach the topics of Iran's missile program and its backing of armed groups in the region, highlighting the significant differences in the two nations' stances.

As yet, there has been no official response from the US regarding the outcome of the talks.

The negotiations took place amidst a heightened US military presence in the Middle East, a response to Iran's crackdown on widespread protests that occurred last month, which human rights organizations estimate resulted in thousands of fatalities.

Tensions have escalated in recent weeks, with President Donald Trump warning of potential military action against Iran if a mutually acceptable agreement is not reached. In a show of force, the US has deployed a significant military presence to the region, including an aircraft carrier, warships, and fighter jets, in addition to thousands of troops.

Iran has stated its intention to retaliate with force in the event of an attack, targeting American military assets in the Middle East, as well as Israel, in a bid to defend its interests.

In an interview with Iranian state television, Araghchi acknowledged the existence of a deep-seated mistrust between the two nations, emphasizing the need to overcome this obstacle. He added that details regarding potential future talks would be determined at a later time.

The latest round of discussions, facilitated by Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, took place on Friday. According to a social media post by Albusaidi, the talks proved beneficial in clarifying the positions of both Iran and the US, and identifying potential areas of progress.

The Iranian delegation was headed by Araghchi, while the US side was represented by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Trump.

The recent discussions between US and Iranian officials mark the first such talks since the conflict between Israel and Iran in June, which was preceded by a US bombing of Iran's three primary nuclear facilities. Although additional meetings are possible, significant differences between the parties raise questions about the feasibility of a potential agreement.

Iran's leadership, currently facing significant challenges, may view these talks as an opportunity to avoid further US military intervention, which could exacerbate the regime's instability. According to analysts, the regime is currently at its weakest point since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, when it first came to power.

The US warnings, issued by Trump, coincided with a period of severe repression of widespread protests in Iran, sparked by an escalating economic crisis. During these protests, demonstrators called for an end to the Islamic Republic, highlighting the depth of the crisis.

According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, a Washington-based organization, at least 6,941 deaths have been confirmed, with the possibility that the actual number may be higher. The agency also reported that over 50,000 people have been arrested, underscoring the severity of the situation.

The ongoing tensions have refocused attention on Iran's nuclear programme, a long-standing point of contention with Western nations. Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear programme is intended for peaceful purposes, while the US and Israel have expressed concerns that it may be part of a broader effort to develop nuclear weapons.

Iran's officials have expressed a willingness to consider compromise, potentially involving the establishment of a regional uranium enrichment consortium, an idea previously discussed with the US before talks were derailed by Israel's unexpected attack on Iran. Additionally, they may be open to negotiating the transfer of their 400kg (880lb) stockpile of highly enriched uranium to a third country.

Meanwhile, Iran has stated that it will not accept demands to restrict its ballistic missile program or cease support for its regional allies, which include Hamas, Iraqi militias, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, collectively referred to as the "Axis of Resistance". Tehran views such demands as an infringement upon its sovereignty.

A key Iranian condition for any agreement is likely to be the removal of economic sanctions, which have severely impacted the country's economy. Critics of the Iranian government argue that sanction relief would provide a vital lifeline to the ruling clerics.

The negotiations may provide an opportunity for the US to pivot away from its current military posture. Regional countries have cautioned that a US military strike could lead to a broader conflict or prolonged instability in Iran, and have noted that air power alone would be insufficient to bring about regime change.

In a recent interview with NBC News, Trump was asked if Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, should be concerned. Trump responded, "I would say he should be very worried. Yeah, he should be."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that substantive progress would require the talks to encompass more than just the nuclear issue.

Secretary Rubio expressed caution about the prospects of a successful agreement, stating, "An attempt will be made to determine if a mutually acceptable solution can be found, despite uncertainty about the likelihood of success."