U.S. and Iranian officials are using similar language to describe their primary objective for Saturday's high-stakes nuclear talks: determining whether the other side is serious or just stringing them along.

Why it matters: President Trump insists Iran must make a deal quickly or face potential military strikes. But Tehran doesn't trust Trump, who previously withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal, and two U.S. officials tell Axios they aren't yet sure what to expect from the Iranians.

What they're saying: "The main question we want answered from the Iranians is whether they have the political will to have a serious discussion so that we won't have to resort to the other alternative," one U.S. official said.

• The official added that Trump is prepared to make compromises to get a deal.
• Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei is singing much the same tune. "We do not prejudge. We do not predict. We intend to assess the other side's intent and resolve this Saturday. We shall reflect and respond accordingly."
• He added that the U.S. should "value" the fact that Iran is "giving diplomacy a genuine chance" despite Trump's "confrontational hoopla."

Driving the news: Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff will lead the U.S. delegation, traveling to Oman for the talks from Russia, where he met President Vladimir Putin. The Iran talks were one of the issues discussed in that meeting.