The talks come as the U.S. ramps up its military presence in the Middle East and Iran holds large-scale maritime exercises.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has confirmed that Iran and the United States will hold nuclear talks in Oman’s capital, Muscat, on Friday

The US announced visa restrictions on Iranian officials and executives for repressing recent anti-regime protests and cutting off internet access, as the Trump administration ratchets up pressure on Tehran amid ongoing nuclear talks.

Iranian and American negotiators departed their indirect talks in Geneva with an agreement to keep talking, doing little to ease fears of an impending regional war.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran and the United States will hold talks Friday in Oman, their latest over Tehran's nuclear program after Israel launched a 12-day war on the country in June and the Islamic Republic launched a bloody crackdown on nationwide protests.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a stark warning that US warships deployed in the Persian Gulf could be sunk to the bottom of the sea, as indirect nuclear talks with the United States resume in Geneva.

Iran and the United States leaned into gunboat diplomacy Thursday as nuclear talks between the nations hung in the balance, with Tehran holding drills with Russia and the Americans bringing another aircraft carrier closer to the Mideast.