President Trump said on Friday that the U.S. and Iran had "very good talks" in Oman on Friday and claimed the Iranian position is more favorable regarding a nuclear deal than it was before the 12-day war last June.
Why it matters: The talks were the first face-to-face negotiations between the U.S. and Iran since the 12-day war last June. They took place amid a massive U.S. military buildup in the Gulf, and with Trump warning he could pivot to military action if a deal can't be reached quickly.
Driving the news: The talks in Muscat between Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and the U.S. president's adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner lasted close to eight hours, with the Omani foreign minister mediating between the two sides.
- The negotiations started with each side meeting separately with the Omani foreign minister. But later in the day, Witkoff and Kushner held direct talks with Araghchi.
What he is saying: "We had very good talks today on Iran. Iran looks like it wants to make a deal very badly, but we have to see what that deal is," Trump told reporters on Air Force One on his way from Washington to Florida.
- Trump said Iran should want to make a deal because the U.S. "armada" is going to be near its shores soon.
- The president said the U.S. is "in no rush" to go on a military operation in Iran, both because it still has to get all its military assets "into position" and because he prefers a diplomatic solution.
- "They know that if they don't make a deal the consequences are very steep," Trump said.
Behind the scenes: Trump mentioned that Iran needs to agree upfront to "no nuclear weapons."
- He added that Iran is willing to do much more today than it was willing to do a year ago to reach a deal.
- "If they would have offered this deal originally, it would have been accepted immediately. We will see what happens," he said.
What's next: Trump noted Witkoff and Kushner will meet Iran's foreign minister again "early next week."
Go deeper: Trump envoys met directly with Iran foreign minister in Oman
