Iran uses Oman to press Trump for talks on sanctions relief

Iran is stepping up pressure on Donald Trump’s administration by leveraging indirect talks with Oman as nuclear negotiations stall, according to regional diplomats and U.S. officials briefed on the discussions.

The move comes as Oman, a longtime mediator between Tehran and Washington, has quietly hosted a series of meetings over the past two months, aiming to reduce tensions ahead of the U.S. presidential election. Iran’s strategy appears focused on extracting concessions—such as sanctions relief or prisoner swaps—while avoiding direct negotiations with the Trump administration, which has repeatedly rejected Iran’s demands. Analysts say Iran is gambling that renewed economic pressure or regional instability could force Washington back to the table on terms more favorable to Tehran. Meanwhile, Trump has signaled he is in no rush to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, instead favoring a policy of “maximum pressure” through sanctions and military deterrence.

The backdrop is a fragile regional balance. Iran has escalated proxy attacks in the Red Sea and Yemen while expanding its uranium enrichment, nearing levels that could shorten its path to a nuclear weapon. U.S. officials say Iran’s recent actions are calibrated to test Trump’s resolve without triggering a major escalation. Oman’s role is critical: it has historically served as a discreet channel for backchannel diplomacy, including during secret talks that led to the 2015 nuclear accord.

In Washington, the Labor Department is set to release new inflation data Friday, with economists expecting core consumer prices to rise 0.3% in March, down slightly from February. While inflation remains above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, recent trends suggest a cooling labor market and moderating wage growth, which could influence the Fed’s decision on interest rates next month. Policymakers are watching closely as they weigh whether to cut rates this summer.

Separately, a new investigative report reveals decades of alleged physical and psychological abuse at the prestigious Juilliard School’s preparatory division, linked to financier Jeffrey Epstein’s social circle. Former students describe a toxic culture of intimidation and coercion, with allegations spanning from the 1970s to the 2010s. Juilliard has launched an internal review, but survivors say the school’s delayed response reflects a pattern of institutional complicity. The revelations are reigniting debates about accountability in elite arts institutions and the long-term impact of Epstein’s network on vulnerable young artists.