Iran, US Begin Nuclear Talks in Oman Amid Rising Tensions

The United States and Iran are set to hold talks in Oman on Saturday to discuss Iran's nuclear program, with U.S. President Donald Trump threatening military action if no agreement is reached. While Trump has announced these talks as direct, Iran prefers them to be indirect, mediated by Oman. The U.S. delegation will be led by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, while Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has been granted full authority by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The meetings aim to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, a goal emphasized by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials. This diplomatic push comes amid heightened regional tensions, with recent conflicts involving Iran, Israel, and others in the Middle East. Iran has been warned of severe consequences from the U.S. should the talks fail, underscoring the potential for escalation if diplomacy does not succeed.