Iran on Friday condemned new United States sanctions and remarks by France’s foreign minister suggesting Tehran is nearing nuclear weapons capability, following the postponement of the fourth round of nuclear talks with Washington.

MUSCAT, Oman — Iran and the United States held their first technical-level talks on Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program Saturday, a more complex phase of their high-stakes negotiations.

Iran and the United States began in-depth negotiations in Oman over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program on Saturday, talks that likely will hinge on the Islamic Republic's enrichment of uranium.