The talks in Muscat lasted only two hours.
The two delegations – Iran and the US – were in separate rooms, with Oman’s experienced and respected foreign minister Badr Albusaidi acting as host and go-between.
The brevity shouldn’t be read as a sign of failure – this should be seen as an opening act, a trust-building exercise where both sides lay out their starting positions and lay the ground for further talks.
Read more: Iran says ‘indirect US talks’ over nuclear programme took place
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I’m told by sources close to the meeting that it exceeded expectations, and while no date has been formally agreed for a second round, the expectation is for another meeting soon – maybe in a week’s time.
In many respects, the talks on Saturday were the easy bit – establish dialogue, build some trust and agree to meet again.
Further rounds will be much more complicated and potentially disagreeable.
The initially stated positions of the two sides remain incompatible – total nuclear disbandment versus an insistence on retaining a civil nuclear programme.
The negotiations, if they are to be successful, will become increasingly detailed, and that will require teams of experts and time.
Trump has set a short window to achieve a deal, but if he is committed to getting one, then he will need to be flexible and patient while at the same time alive to delaying tactics by Iran.
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I expect Oman will continue to play a crucial role, demonstrating that its long-standing policy of talking to all players is a rare commodity in an increasingly polarised world.
I would caution that Iran has nothing to lose by talking up the success of this early exchange – it’s not in Tehran’s interest to collapse the talks at this stage.
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The Israelis, angry that these talks are even taking place, will be on the phone to the White House warning them that Iran is deliberately stringing it out.
President Trump, rarely diplomatic, will no doubt comment soon – his analysis will be most revealing.
