US and Iranian officials sat for the first round of Saturday's in-person talks in Oman on Saturday, according to a statement released by the White House.
The meeting between US Special Envoy Stephen Witkov and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragci was the first face-to-face exchange since President Donald Trump took office as Iran continues to expand its nuclear program.
The White House described the discussion as “very positive and constructive,” adding that “the US is deeply grateful to the Sultan of Omani for supporting this initiative.”
Witkov, joined by US ambassador for Omani Ana Escrogima, said Araguchi Trump personally instructed him to resolve the differences through diplomacy if possible.
Representative from Iran, US will hold consultations in Oman amid ongoing tensions: what should you know
Steve Witkov, the White House special envoy in the Middle East, met with Iranian officials on Saturday. (AP/Ben Curtis)
The lecture took place in the outskirts of Muscat, the capital of Oman, and lasted for more than two hours. Oman's foreign minister said Badr had hosted the meeting.
Iranian TV later confirmed that the side had exchanged several messages, and there was a brief, direct conversation between the US and Iranian diplomats.
Military pressure seems to be a major reason why Iran came to the table. Rebecca Grant, a senior fellow at the Lexington Institute, told the Fox Report on Saturday.
Trump calls for core nuclear talks with Iran. Who has leverage?
“All options aren't just on the table, they're all deployed in the Middle East,” Grant said. “While 4-6 B-2 stealth bombers [are] Diego Garcia's front [along with] Two aircraft carriers. It really attracts Iran's attention. ”
Grant said Iran is currently facing a choice.
“Iran has to bomb or bomb nuclear facilities,” she said.
Tensions between the two countries have been high since 2018, when Trump pulled the US out of the 2015 nuclear deal.
Iran's highest leader Ayatollah Alikhamenei and President Donald Trump (Iran's Supreme Leader/Wana's Office, Reuters/Elizabeth Franz/File Photo)
The agreement put strict restrictions on Iran's nuclear program. Since then, Iran has been enriching uranium at much higher levels. The latest report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says Iran has concentrated uranium to 60% purity just below the arms grade, with a stockpiling of over 18,000 pounds. In the original trade, Iran was limited to a much lower stockpile with 3.67% purity.
The US intelligence agency does not believe that Iran has begun construction of nuclear weapons, but warns that the state can do so if they decide.
Fox News Military analyst General Jack Keane said Iranian leaders consider Trump serious about using military force if they do not agree to limit Iran's nuclear program.
“They have concluded that the president is seriously committed to bringing down nuclear companies in Israel-led, US-backed Iran,” Keene said.
Iranians are holding anti-AU posters during a rally in downtown Tehran. (Morteza Nikoubazl/Nurphoto via Getty Images)
Grant explained that if consultations fail, the US and its allies are ready for such a strike.
“Israel took out a lot of Iranian air defenses last year,” she said. “And then you have two [U.S.] A B-2 bomber with carriers, land fighters in the area, and bombs that destroy bunkers. That's the sign of a threat. ”
She added that Iran does not need to enrich uranium as it can purchase nuclear fuel in the open market.
“It's time for them to start trading,” she said. “And I think they're starting to make it happen, perhaps because of our military pressure and Trump's resolve.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said he has not accepted direct negotiations on the nuclear program but has accused the US of breaking past promises.
“They have to prove they can build trust,” Pezeschkian said at a recent cabinet meeting.
Esmail Baghaei, a spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, warned of the consequences if the threat continues.
“Violence breeds violence, and peace creates peace,” he wrote on social media. “The US can choose this course… and we'll acknowledge the results.”
On May 7, 2023, Iran will launch a medium-range ballistic missile called Haber (Haremshaal-4). (via Iranian Ministry of Defense/Hanodut/Anadoru Agency Getty Images)
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said there will be no contracts for Fox News unless Iran abandons its nuclear weapons program.
“We must completely eliminate their nuclear weapons programme because there is an agreement,” he said. “What we ask is that they behave like a normal country.”
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Grant said future transactions will require strict conditions.
“We need to include actual tests,” she said. “Frankly, we'll have to give up some of that rich uranium. There must be some limitations on the development of their ballistic missiles.”
The two countries are scheduled to meet again in Oman on April 19th, according to a White House statement.
Bradford Betz and the Associated Press of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
