The clock is ticking on President Trump’s two-month timeline to reach a deal with Iran over its nuclear program, with the president signaling optimism ahead of a third round of talks later this week.

But it's still unclear if Trump and Iran's leaders can find common ground between eliminating Iran's nuclear program, the maximalist U.S. demand, and returning to something more like the Obama-era nuclear agreement that restricted Tehran's ability to create a weapon, but left much of its nuclear infrastructure intact.

Trump has long trashed the Obama deal as weak, and both hawkish Republicans and Israel are likely to oppose any deal with similar terms. But Iran is certain to reject any deal that eliminates its nuclear program completely.

The stakes are high. Trump has suggested he may greenlight an Israeli military offensive on Iran's nuclear facilities if the talks fail.

Technical experts from the U.S. and Iran are expected to meet in Oman on Saturday.

Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told reporters on Wednesday both Iran and the Trump administration appear committed to reaching a deal.

“I think these are negotiations that are very, very serious. Are very, very serious,” he said during a visit to Washington, following meetings in Tehran last week. "I don’t see any improvisation here, not at all.”

Both sides have incentive to reach an agreement, least of which is avoiding deadly, destructive, conflict. Iran’s economy is suffocating under sanctions, and Trump, focused on expanding any lucrative business opportunities, is keen to avoid escalating military action in the Middle East.

“I'm not speaking for President Trump, but I believe President Trump's position is that he wants to........

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