U.S.-Iran nuclear talks set to resume amid pitfalls after "constructive" first round

Over in Oman this past Saturday.

Officials from the U.S. and Iran addressed the latter's nuclear weapons ambitions with more talks scheduled for this coming weekend.

Our Park Kun-woo reports.

Nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran are set to resume this weekend, but with potential pitfalls ahead, including the agenda and format.

The first round that took place Saturday in Oman was participated in by U.S. and Iranian diplomats and conducted "indirectly" through Oman's mediation, marking the highest-level meeting between the two nations since 2018.

After the talks ended, the two sides spoke for a few minutes face-to-face.

On Sunday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the talks "constructive," but also said the U.S. continues to seek a diplomatic resolution to Iran's nuclear program.

And he added that the U.S. military stands ready "to go deep and big" if talks fail.

U.S. President Donald Trump also commented.

"We'll be making a decision on Iran very quickly."

That came after Trump said the day before that things were "going okay."

Iran on Sunday also described the first round of talks with the U.S. as "productive," but maintained its stance of keeping the agenda and format the same amid remaining tensions.

"What is clear at this stage is that the negotiations are indirect and, from our perspective, are solely about the nuclear issue and with the necessary will to reach an agreement based on equality."

That comes as the U.S. is reportedly looking to broaden the agenda to include Iran's ballistic missile program and its support for the "axis of resistance" -a network of militant groups opposed to Israel.

Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.