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US, Iran likely to hold first nuclear talks since joint strikes in Oslo next week: Report
The United States plans to hold talks with Iran about its nuclear programme in Oslo next week, Axios reported on Thursday, citing two unidentified sources.
According to the report, White House envoy Steve Witkoff is planning to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oslo next week.
While a final date has not been confirmed and neither government has publicly acknowledged the meeting, the sources said the planned discussions could mark the first direct contact between the US and Iran since President Donald Trump authorised a joint US-Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities last month.
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'We have no travel announcements at this time,' Axios quoted White House official as saying.
Witkoff and Araghchi have reportedly maintained direct communication during and after the recent 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, which ended under a US-brokered ceasefire.
Mediation efforts have also involved officials from Oman and Qatar, Axios reported, citing sources said.
Following the war, Iran initially resisted engagement with the US, but its stance appears to have softened in recent weeks.
Israel's Channel 12 was the first to report on the potential meeting.
According to the Axios report, central to any future negotiations will be Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which includes an estimated 400 kg enriched to 60%.
The material is currently inaccessible, locked inside the Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan facilities damaged during the joint airstrikes, added the report, citing Israeli and US officials.
Although Iran is presently unable to retrieve the stockpile due to extensive structural damage, officials warn it could be recovered once debris is cleared.
Meanwhile, Iran announced this week that it has begun enforcing a new parliamentary law suspending all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Araghchi posted on social media that while Iran remains committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and its Safeguards Agreement, future engagement with the IAEA will be directed through the Supreme National Security Council due to 'obvious safety and security reasons.'
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With inputs from agencies
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