Nuclear talks between the United States and Iran, which began in Oman on Saturday, have raised questions about the risk of Tehran’s exploiting the diplomatic track to gain time and legitimacy for its nuclear program.

The first round of indirect talks between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, mediated by Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, concluded in Oman after a little more than two-and-a-half hours, according to international media reports.  The next round of talks is scheduled to be held in Oman on April 19.