U.S.-Iran talks set for Friday in Oman after drone and tanker incidents

U.S.-Iran talks are expected to beryllium held successful Oman connected Friday, sources told CBS News, aft the U.S. subject said it changeable down an Iranian drone and Iranian forces threatened to prehend a U.S.-flagged vessel. 

Iran had objected to holding the talks successful Turkey, which was the archetypal projected location.

Iran is seeking nonstop talks with the U.S. without the accustomed 3rd enactment intermediary, according to 2 sources — an Arab diplomat and a root acquainted with the matter. The nonstop format has agelong been sought by the Trump administration.

White House spokespeople didn't instantly comment.

The United States does not person ceremonial diplomatic relations with Tehran and Iran is inactive designated arsenic a authorities sponsor of coercion by the U.S. government.

Ahead of the talks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff connected Tuesday successful Israel. Netanyahu told Witkoff that Iran has proven its promises cannot beryllium relied upon, according to a readout from the meeting.

Israel remains skeptical of the diplomacy that Arab and Turkish allies of the U.S. person scrambled to enactment unneurotic to debar U.S. strikes against Iran.

Drone and tanker incidents 

The U.S. subject said a Shahed-139 drone "aggressively" approached the USS Abraham Lincoln craft bearer arsenic it was moving done the Arabian Sea astir 500 miles from the confederate seashore of Iran connected Tuesday. The drone flew toward the bearer "despite de-escalatory measures taken by U.S. forces operating successful planetary waters," U.S. Central Command spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins said successful a statement. 

"An F-35C combatant pitchy from Abraham Lincoln changeable down the Iranian drone successful self-defense and to support the craft bearer and unit connected board," Hawkins said. "No American work members were harmed during the incident, and nary U.S. instrumentality was damaged."

Hours later, successful the Strait of Hormuz, an Iranian drone and 2 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps boats "threatened to committee and seize" a U.S.-flagged tanker, Hawkins said.

The U.S.-crewed merchant vessel, the M/V Stena Imperative, was "lawfully transiting the planetary oversea passage," helium said. The concern de-escalated aft the USS McCaul responded to the country and escorted the tanker with aerial support.

U.S. subject buildup adjacent Iran

The U.S. has built up subject beingness adjacent Iran successful caller days. The USS Abraham Lincoln craft bearer and 3 destroyers were successful the Arabian Sea arsenic of Tuesday, according to a Navy official. Other destroyers were positioned successful the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, portion 3 littoral combat ships were successful the Persian Gulf. 

Mr. Trump told reporters past period that the subject was sending ships to the Middle East "just successful case," arsenic his medication watched Iran's effect to monolithic protests that broke retired successful December. Thousands of protesters are believed to person been killed successful a crackdown connected the demonstrations.

The president told reporters past week helium has had conversations with Iranian officials and planned to clasp much discussions.

"I told them 2 things: No. 1, nary nuclear. And No. 2, halt sidesplitting protesters," the president said. "They're going to person to bash something."

Iran's ultimate person has warned that immoderate onslaught by the U.S. would spark a "regional war" successful the Middle East.

The U.S. struck atomic sites successful Iran past summer.

Haley Ott, Melissa Quinn and Eleanor Watson contributed to this report.

In:

• Iran
• Oman