US and Iran to begin high-stakes talks over nuclear programme

Negotiations take place as US builds naval presence in region and in aftermath of bloody crackdown on protesters

• Iran and US nuclear talks – live updates

The US and Iran are due to start high-stakes talks in Oman over Tehran’s nuclear programme that are being seen as representing one of the last chances to prevent a new US attack.

The negotiations are the first since the US struck Iranian nuclear targets in June, joining in the final stages of a 12-day Israeli bombing campaign.