Delegations from Iran and the United States will meet again this week after wrapping up “constructive” nuclear talks yesterday that included the first direct contact between a Trump administration and Iranian official.
The talks, held in the Gulf Arab nation of Oman, came with the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s fiery rhetoric toward Tehran and heightened fears that conflicts could deepen in the Middle East.
Trump has threatened Iran with bombing if it does not agree to a new nuclear pact and has given Tehran a two-month deadline to accept a deal that would lead to it shrinking its nuclear footprint or eliminating its program altogether.
So far, each side is publicly projecting optimism.
Here’s where things stand after yesterday’s talks:
What the US said: The White House cast the talks as a step in the right direction, saying “direct communication” between Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who spoke primarily through Omani mediators, was “very positive and constructive.”
What Iran said: Araghchi similarly described the talks as “constructive,” telling state media, the first round of talks “got very close” to reaching a framework for negotiations.
“The atmosphere in today’s meeting was such that it ensured continuity and progress,” Araghchi told state broadcaster IRIB. He described a brief, parting interaction with Witkoff where the two spoke directly as a pleasant formality.
The two sides will meet again: Iranian and US officials said they plan to meet again Saturday to resume discussions. That meeting is likely to take place in Europe, a source familiar with the plans told CNN.
A bit of insight on the timeline: A source familiar with the meeting told CNN there is a belief the Trump administration wants to move fast, and Witkoff wants to make a political decision to green-light a deal without diving into highly technical details that could slow things down.
