Europeans had feared this possibility, and now it is has been confirmed. Starting on Saturday, April 12, talks between the United States and Iran on Tehran's nuclear program were to be held in Oman – without any European partners present or mediating. The discussions were to be held under the auspices of the Sultanate of Oman, which is hosting both delegations: The US team, led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and that of Iran, led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

"We are giving diplomacy a genuine chance in good faith and full vigilance," stated the Iranian side on Friday, though a quick breakthrough would be surprising, given the ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington. According to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, UZ President Donald Trump's "ultimate objective" is to "ensure that Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon." The Republican president believes in diplomacy, she said on Friday, but "all options" are still on the table if the talks fail to yield results, she added. The resumption of negotiations comes as the US reinforces its military presence in the region as a warning to Tehran, by deploying a second aircraft carrier to the region, the USS Carl-Vinson, which is usually stationed in Asia.

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