Critical talks between the US and Iran over a new nuclear agreement have begun in Oman, following repeated threats from Donald Trump of military intervention.
Senior officials from Washington and Tehran are expected to meet for discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme in the coming hours amid a significant buildup of US military forces in the Middle East.
In June, the US bombed three Iranian nuclear sites, which Trump claimed was necessary for “peace in the middle east”. In recent weeks, the president has threatened to strike Iran again if it does not scale back its nuclear programme.
Earlier this week, US forces shot down an Iranian drone that approached the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea - but both sides have appeared to step back from further escalation and sought diplomacy.
The Iranian delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while the US team will be led by Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and the President’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
It will be the first meeting between both sides since the war between Iran and Israel last June.
Key Points
- What will the talks cover?
- What happened last time?
Russia 'hopes talks lead to de-escalation'
10:54 , James ReynoldsThe Kremlin said on Friday that it hoped that negotiations between Iran and the United States in Oman would yield results and lead to a de-escalation and urged all sides to show restraint in the meantime.
Mass executions in Iran being planned after Trump talks end, lawyers claim
10:26 , James ReynoldsIran has seen a sharp increase in raids on the homes of protesters by the Islamic Republic’s military in recent weeks, with a dramatic rise in demand for the death penalty, several lawyers have told Independent Persian.
Reports indicate that the arrests, often on charges related to participation in Iran’s national uprising, have often proceeded without recourse to any legal or judicial process.
“My assessment is that they are waiting to see how things settle with Trump, and if the risk of a military strike subsides, they will execute thousands,” a defence lawyer in the northern Mazandaran province said.
“Even in recent weeks, however, we have received reports of the secret execution of several detainees.”
Mass executions in Iran being planned after Trump talks end, lawyers claim
US military presence risks derailing talks, Iranian source warns
10:12 , James ReynoldsAn Iranian diplomatic source told Reuters that any "presence of CENTCOM [US central command] or any regional military officials in the talks can jeopardise the process of indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the United States" in Oman.
Tehran's clerical leadership remains deeply worried that Trump may still carry out his threats to strike Iran after a military buildup by the US navy near Iran.
Pictured: Araghchi meets with Omani counterpart ahead of talks
09:30 , James Reynolds
US meeting with mediators, Iranian media reports
09:11 , James ReynoldsIran’s IRNA news agency is reporting that US special envoy Steve Witkoff is holding talks with Oman’s foreign minister.
Muscat’s top diplomat earlier met with Iran’s Araghchi.
Recap: What to know as Iran and US hold talks in Oman
09:00 , James ReynoldsJust hours ahead of Friday's meeting, many questions hovered over the talks, including the scope of the agenda.
While negotiations are expected to focus on Iran's nuclear program, Secretary of State Marco Rubio this week said the U.S. hoped to discuss other concerns, including Iran’s ballistic missiles, support for proxy networks across the region and the “treatment of their own people.”
Read the full story:
What to know as Iran and US prepare for nuclear talks in Oman
What happened last time?
08:27 , James ReynoldsThe US and Iran held talks towards reaching a nuclear peace agreement last April.
Discussions took place in Oman and then a week later in Italy, with Trump hailing good progress.
A top advisor to the regime signalled mid-May that Iran was ready to sign a deal in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.
But the enrichment of uranium became a recurring issue: the US said they had to give it up, and Iran said it was their right to do.
Within days, intelligence emerged suggesting Israel was preparing to strike Iran. Officials framed it as a brazen break from Trump’s diplomatic efforts.
And then, two days before talks were due to resume, Israel carried out strikes on Iranian military infrastructure, commanders and nuclear sites in June.
Soon after, the US joined in, dropping bunker buster bombs on key nuclear facilities. US intelligence concluded they had set Iran’s work back by a matter of months.
What will the talks cover?
08:05 , James ReynoldsIran and the United States are holding high-stakes negotiations in Oman today over Tehran's nuclear programme.
Iran has said it wants only to focus on nuclear issues in Muscat.
Sources say Tehran is willing to be flexible on the issue of uranium enrichment. But it also insists that its right to enrich uranium is not negotiable.
Negotiators will also have to navigate Iran's red line on discussing its missile programme to reach a deal and avert future military action. Tehran has flatly ruled out talks on its "defence capabilities, including missiles and their range."
US and Iran begin talks in Oman, SNN reports
07:53 , James ReynoldsIran’s SNN is reporting that talks between the US and Iran have now begun in Iran.
The latest: Talks begin in Oman
07:49 , James ReynoldsIran had been pushing for days to get the US to sit down for talks in Oman until foreign minister Abbas Araghchi finally confirmed talks would go ahead on Wednesday.
He said that discussions were expected to kick off around 10am. It is currently just before midday in Oman.
“Iran enters diplomacy with open eyes and a steady memory of the past year,” he wrote on X earlier today. “We engage in good faith and stand firm on our rights.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Thursday told reporters that President Trump was looking to determine whether a deal can be struck but also issued a warning - that the military remains in play if diplomacy falters.
"While these negotiations are taking place, I would remind the Iranian regime that the president has many options at his disposal, aside from diplomacy as the commander in chief of the most powerful military in the history of the world," she said.
US and Iran to begin critical talks
07:37 , Daniel KeaneGood morning and welcome to our live coverage.
Talks will begin today between the US and Iran over the country’s nuclear programme - the first since a war between Israel and Tehran last year.
Iran has said it wants Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss only nuclear issues in Muscat.
"Iran enters diplomacy with open eyes and a steady memory of the past year. We engage in good faith and stand firm on our rights. Commitments need to be honored," Araqchi said on X on Friday ahead of the talks.
