U.S. President Donald Trump convened his national security team on Tuesday to discuss Iran’s advancing nuclear program ahead of a high-stakes meeting between U.S. and Iranian officials set for Saturday in Oman. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff will lead the negotiations, with Trump emphasizing diplomacy alongside his firm stance against Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
Sources confirmed the White House Situation Room was used for its secure environment. Trump also spoke directly with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman, highlighting Oman’s mediating role in easing tensions between Washington and Tehran. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that while the U.S. is open to dialogue, Trump remains committed to preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear-armed state.
The upcoming talks follow last weekend’s preliminary meeting in Oman, which both sides labeled as positive. Trump’s administration reinstated the “maximum pressure” campaign in February, renewing economic sanctions and abandoning the 2015 Iran nuclear deal signed during his first term. Since then, Iran has accelerated its nuclear development despite international concerns.
Leavitt added that the president also discussed U.S. military operations targeting Yemen’s Houthi forces during his call with Sultan Haitham. She reiterated Trump’s firm position on Iran, stating that while the U.S. supports negotiations, it will not compromise on national security goals.
Although indirect negotiations occurred under former President Joe Biden, they yielded little progress. Iran has insisted that demands to dismantle its peaceful nuclear and missile programs are non-negotiable. With tensions high, the upcoming meeting in Oman could determine whether diplomatic efforts can reduce the risk of military confrontation in the Middle East.