Trump says U.S. holding nuclear talks with Iran
President Trump said Monday that the U.S. had been holding "direct talks" with Iran and that a "very big meeting" involving "very high-level" officials will be taking place this Saturday.
Why it matters: The surprise announcement from Trump follows his repeated warnings that Iran must sign a new nuclear deal or face military strikes.
The latest: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the talks would take place in Oman and confirmed they would be "high-level."
- While Trump insisted the talks would be "direct," Araghchi claimed they would be" indirect." In diplomatic terms, that means mediators pass messages between the sides.
- Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei ruled out direct talks with the U.S. so long as Trump kept his "maximum pressure" policy in place.
- "It is as much an opportunity as it is a test. The ball is in America's court," Araghchi said.
