Karen Moscow

held indirect talks today to reduce tensions that have threatened to spiral into war, with Tehran saying the meeting will be the first stage of a longer diplomatic process.

In a statement on X, Oman's foreign ministry said about separately with the Iranian delegation led by Abbas Arachi and with the U.S.

team that included Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Talks began with Iran's Arachi presenting a preliminary plan for managing the current situation and advancing negotiations with the U.S.

The state-run Islamic Republic news agency reported Iranian state TV said a second round of consultations was underway.

The U.S.

hasn't yet commented.

Bloomberg economics defense lead Becca Wasser tells Bloomberg Balance of Power she has some concerns.

I am most certainly not optimistic.

carrier in the Middle East.

Rebecca Wasser is defense lead for Bloomberg Economics.

The talks come after a chaotic week that initially saw plans for regional countries to take part in talks in Turkey.

Time now for the Bloomberg Sports Update, and we bring in John Staschauer.

John.

Thanks, John.

And that's news when you want it with Bloomberg News Now.

I'm Karen Moscow.

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