The United States and Iran held direct talks Saturday in Oman to discuss Tehran’s expanding nuclear program. This marked the first meeting between the two sides since President Donald Trump returned to office in January.
According to a statement released by the White House, U.S. Special Envoy Steven Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met on the outskirts of Muscat.
The talks lasted just over two hours and included four rounds of indirect exchanges before a brief, face-to-face conversation. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi facilitated the discussions.
The White House described the talks as “positive and constructive.” The White House also added: “Special Envoy Witkoff’s direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome.” A second round of discussion is scheduled for Saturday, April 19.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday en route to a UFC event in Miami, Trump said the talks are “going okay.”
“I can’t tell you because nothing matters until you get it done so I don’t like talking about it but it’s going ok. The Iran situation is going pretty good, I think,” he added.
The meeting comes after Trump has repeatedly threatened to launch airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities if a deal is not reached.
In 2015, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear program in exchange for relief from international sanctions. The agreement was signed by the U.S., UK, France, Germany, Russia, and China. In 2016, Trump pulled the U.S. out of the deal, criticizing it as too weak. Since then, Iran has expanded its uranium stockpiles, prompting concern from the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Trump earlier said Iran must agree to a new agreement or face severe consequences. “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing,” he warned. “Bombing the likes of which they’ve never seen before.”
He also threatened to impose additional economic sanctions if Iran refuses to negotiate with the U.S. to prevent the development of nuclear weapons.
In response to the growing tensions, the U.S. has increased its military presence in the region, moving aircraft carriers closer to the Gulf and deploying at least six B-2 bombers to Diego Garcia, a strategically located U.S. base within striking range of Iran.
Iran has responded by strengthening its own defenses, positioning missiles and infantry units on the Persian Gulf islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa.
