President Donald Trump said the United States was starting direct, high-level talks with Iran over its nuclear program on Saturday, in a shock announcement during a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Speaking on Monday, April 7th in the Oval Office, Trump said he was hopeful of reaching a deal with Tehran, but warned that the Islamic republic would be in “great danger” if the talks failed.
Hours later Tehran confirmed discussions were set for Saturday in Oman, but stressed they were “indirect” talks.
“It is as much an opportunity as it is a test. The ball is in America’s court,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on social media platform X.
Araghchi will hold talks through a mediator with the top U.S. envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff.
The announcement came a day after Iran dismissed direct negotiations on a new deal to curb the country’s nuclear programme.
The U.S. president pulled out of the last deal in 2018, during his first presidency, and there has been widespread speculation that Israel, possibly with U.S. help, might attack Iranian facilities if no new agreement is reached.
