The United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Thursday (April 10th) that the U.S. will hold direct talks with Iran on Saturday to discuss Iran’s nuclear program. This will be the first formal nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran since September 2022.
The talks will take place in Oman, where U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff will engage in discussions with senior Iranian leaders.
Rubio stated during a cabinet meeting hosted by President Trump, “We hope that these talks will bring about peace. Our goal has always been very clear: Iran must never possess nuclear weapons! I believe that is the reason for convening these talks.”
President Trump warned on Wednesday that if Iran refuses to reach a nuclear agreement and attempts to develop nuclear weapons, the U.S. will “absolutely use military force when necessary.” He emphasized, “Iran cannot have nuclear weapons.”
He also disclosed that Israel will play a leading role in potential military actions.
On Monday, President Trump met with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and told reporters, “We are in direct talks with Iran, negotiations have begun, and the talks will take place on Saturday.” He added, “Iran cannot have nuclear weapons, and if the negotiations fail, I actually think it will be a very bad day for Iran.”
During the Biden administration, the U.S. and Iran had engaged in indirect talks, but made little progress. The last direct talks between the U.S. and Iran took place during the Obama administration, leading to the 2015 nuclear agreement. President Trump later abandoned the deal and reimposed comprehensive sanctions on Iran.