US and Iran to hold nuclear talks in Oman amid military tensions

Senior US and Iranian officials are due to meet in Oman on Friday; the agenda remains undecided and both sides have signalled different priorities.

Senior US and Iranian officials are scheduled to meet in Oman on Friday for talks. The meeting follows recent incidents at sea and a growing US military presence in the region. Both sides have signalled willingness to negotiate but disagree on the scope of the agenda. Iran's president said he had instructed the foreign minister to pursue fair and equitable negotiations. Known details: - A meeting involving senior US and Iranian officials is scheduled in Oman on Friday. - The US military says it shot down an Iranian Shahed-139 drone after it approached the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln; Iran's semi-official news agency described the drone as on a surveillance mission. - The US has increased its regional military presence, including an aircraft carrier strike group, and US leaders have spoken publicly about the deployment. - The two sides disagree on the agenda: US officials have requested broader talks covering regional activities and treatment of people, while Iran has said talks should be limited to nuclear issues. Summary: The scheduled talks bring both parties to a diplomatic setting amid heightened tensions and recent maritime incidents. The agenda has not been agreed and remains undecided; the meetings in Oman on Friday are the next scheduled step.