Just a few months ago, the tensions between the United States and Iran were palpable, with proxy factions like the Houthis and Hezbollah unleashing unprovoked attacks on both ships and our ally Israel.

Five days ago, on April 7, President Trump announced that direct diplomatic meetings would take place this weekend between the U.S. and Iran on their nuclear weapons aspirations.

That came about a week after he threatened that things would not go well for Iran, if they don't agree to come to the negotiating table , as we wrote.

More: Trump: US to 'Deal Directly' With Iran

Iran Rejects Talks With US, Trump Vows 'Bombing Like You've Never Seen Before'

In a remarkable update on Saturday, the first round of talks has taken place in Oman--with both countries agreeing to more negotiations:

This first round of talks began at around 3:30 p.m. local time. The two sides spoke for over two hours at a location on the outskirts of Muscat, Oman's capital, ending the talks around 5:50 p.m. local time. 

...

Iran and the United States will hold more negotiations next week over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program, Iranian state television reported Saturday at the end of the first round of talks between the two countries since President Donald Trump returned to the White House.

American officials offered no immediate comment on the talks. However, Iran's state-run broadcaster revealed that U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi “briefly spoke" together — the first time the two nations have done that since the Obama administration.

In other words, to borrow a phrase from our previous president, this is a BFD. The Iranian foreign minister spoke on state-controlled Iranian TV after the talks:

“Neither we nor the other side are interested in fruitless negotiations — so-called ‘talks for the sake of talks,’ wasting time, or drawn-out, exhausting negotiations,” he said. "Both sides, including the Americans, have said that their goal is also to reach an agreement in the shortest possible time. However, that will certainly not be an easy task.”

The AP report linked above noted that Araghchi tiptoed around the tone of the meeting:

Araghchi, however, sought to downplay the encounter as “a brief initial conversation, greetings and polite exchanges” — likely to avoid drawing the anger of hard-liners in Iran.

A statement from the White House after the meetings ended called the talks "very positive and constructive," and outlined the United States' message to Iran:

"Special Envoy Witkoff underscored to Dr. Araghchi that he had instructions from President Trump to resolve our two nations’ differences through dialogue and diplomacy, if that is possible. These issues are very complicated, and Special Envoy Witkoff’s direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome." 

The WH statement was specific about when the second round will start, adding that "The sides agreed to meet again next Saturday."

This is a developing story. RedState will provide more information as it becomes available.

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