MUSCAT, Oman
Iran and the United States held indirect talks in Oman on Friday, negotiations that appeared to reset to the starting point over Tehran’s nuclear program.
However, the discussions gained a new military dimension with the unprecedented presence of America’s top commander in the Middle East.
The inclusion of U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, underscored the high stakes.
His attendance in dress uniform in Muscat, the Omani capital, served as a visible reminder of American military power nearby, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group operating in the Arabian Sea off Iran’s coast.
Despite the diplomatic effort, President Donald Trump maintained public pressure.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One late Friday, he called the talks “very good” and said more were planned for early next week.
“Iran looks like they want to make a deal very badly — as they should,” Trump said. He suggested Iran was willing to “do more” than in previous discussions but offered no specifics, warning that if no deal is reached, “the consequences are very steep.”
By James Kisoo
