The United States and Iran are set to hold indirect high-level talks in Oman on Saturday, with US President Donald Trump issuing a warning of military action if no deal is reached. The talks, taking place in Muscat, come as tensions continue to mount after Trump, during a recent Oval Office meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claimed that the two sides would meet directly.

However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, leading Tehran’s delegation, clarified that discussions would remain indirect, facilitated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi. “There is a chance for initial understanding on further negotiations if the other party enters the talks with an equal stance,” Araqchi told Iranian state TV.

The negotiations are aimed solely at resolving the nuclear dispute, a conflict that has simmered for more than two decades. Trump has maintained his maximum-pressure campaign against Iran, following his decision to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal and reimpose crippling sanctions, which, according to Western critics, have accelerated Iran’s uranium enrichment program to 60% fissile purity.