Trump Announces Direct Nuclear Talks With Iran

President Donald Trump said the US was starting direct, high-level talks with Iran over its nuclear programme on Saturday, in a shock announcement during a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

- Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON:

Speaking on Monday 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.

Tehran confirmed discussions were set for Saturday in Oman, but stressed they were "indirect" talks.

According to Iranian news agency Tasnim, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will attend the talks, as will the top US envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.

"It is as much an opportunity as it is a test," Araghchi wrote on X. "The ball is in America's court."

Netanyahu, meanwhile, said the US and Israel were working on another deal to free hostages from war-torn Gaza, where a ceasefire between Israel and Iran's ally Hamas has collapsed.