US and Iran hold nuclear talks in Oman

Iran is seeking a "real and fair" agreement with the US on its nuclear program, according to a senior aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ahead of talks in Oman on Saturday. The talks, described by the US as "direct" and by Iran as "indirect high-level" through a mediator, aim to reach a deal on Tehran's nuclear program. The US and Iran have been exchanging warnings, with President Trump threatening military action if talks fail, and Iran warning it could expel UN nuclear inspectors if negotiations don't go its way.

The US and Iran are set to hold nuclear talks in Oman, with the US insisting on direct negotiations and Iran maintaining that the talks will be indirect. Iran expert Behnam Ben Taleblu says both sides are playing a game of leverage, with the US wanting to be seen as having driven Iran to the negotiating table and Iran not wanting to be seen as being driven to the table. Iran has significant leverage due to its progress in enriching uranium and its close ties with Russia and China, but the US also has levers to use, including economic sanctions and military options. President Donald Trump has threatened to "bomb" Iran if it doesn't engage in nuclear talks, and has said that time is running out to stop Iran from developing a nuclear bomb.

Iran has held "indirect talks" with the US over its nuclear programme, mediated by Oman, with both sides agreeing to hold further negotiations next week. The talks, which took place in Muscat, Oman, were described as "constructive" and "very positive" by Iranian and US officials, respectively. The discussions focused on de-escalating regional tensions, prisoner exchanges, and limiting Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for easing sanctions. US President Donald Trump warned that Iran would be in "great danger" if the talks fail, insisting that Tehran cannot possess nuclear weapons.