Iran has tentatively agreed to resume nuclear talks with the United States as it tries to avert the threat of further military strikes, in what would be the first such negotiations since the Trump administration bombed three of Iran’s nuclear sites last summer.

The discussions are expected to be held in Oman, a source familiar with the matter told CNN Tuesday night. Iran’s semi-official ⁠ISNA news agency also reported Oman as the venue for talks that it said would take place on Friday. ‍

The White House said Tuesday that talks between would proceed this week despite changes requested by Tehran to the venue and format.

Sources had told CNN on Monday that Iran’s top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, was likely to meet US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, in Istanbul on Friday.

However, the plans hit a snag after Tehran requested the talks be relocated to a different city, that regional participants be excluded and that the scope of the discussions be limited to just the country’s nuclear program, CNN reported earlier. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Tuesday that Trump is keeping open the option of military strikes if diplomacy fails.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tuesday that Tehran is pursuing negotiations –– though with conditions.

“I have instructed my Minister of Foreign Affairs, provided that a suitable environment exists — one free from threats and unreasonable expectations — to pursue fair and equitable negotiations, guided by the principles of dignity, prudence, and expediency,” Pezeshkian wrote on X.

He said he has given the go-ahead for the negotiations following “requests from friendly governments in the region.”

“These negotiations shall be conducted within the framework of our national interests,” said Pezeshkian.

Although Pezeshkian is president, ultimate power in Iran rests with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country’s supreme leader. Khamenei struck a defiant tone in Tehran on Sunday, warning that any US strike on Iran would result in a regional war.

Tensions have soared in the last few weeks, with Trump sending a US “armada” to the region and renewing threats to strike Iran again if it does not agree to negotiate a new nuclear deal. Earlier in January, Trump had also warned of possible military action in response to nationwide protests in Iran, which triggered deadly crackdowns by security forces.

People familiar with the matter told CNN last week that Trump was considering options, including airstrikes targeting Iran’s leaders, nuclear sites and government institutions. A US carrier strike group is now in the region, where it could support any potential operations against the country.

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