ISLAMABAD: High-stakes indirect talks between the United States and Irancommenced in Muscat, Oman, on Friday, marking the first diplomaticengagement since the US military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities inJune last year. Mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, thenegotiations involved US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, andIran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The session, delayed by about anhour from the scheduled 10am start, unfolded against a backdrop ofheightened military tensions, with both sides leveraging the threat ofescalation to strengthen their positions. Initial reports indicated acautious atmosphere, with discussions centering primarily on Iran’s nuclearadvancements and potential sanctions relief.
The talks represent a critical attempt to de-escalate a crisis that hasbrought the two adversaries to the brink of renewed conflict. Following USairstrikes that targeted three Iranian nuclear sites last June during a12-day war involving Israel, Iran’s program reportedly suffered significantsetbacks. However, recent intelligence suggests Tehran may be attempting toreconstitute capabilities, prompting President Donald Trump’sadministration to demand a freeze on enrichment activities and the discardof high-level enriched uranium stockpiles. Analysts note that Iran’sposition has weakened due to domestic unrest and economic pressures,creating a narrow window for diplomacy.
Oman’s role as a neutral mediator proved pivotal in facilitating themeeting after last-minute adjustments to venue and format. Iranianofficials insisted on limiting the agenda to nuclear issues, rejecting USefforts to include ballistic missiles, support for regional proxies likeHezbollah and Hamas, and human rights concerns stemming from Tehran’scrackdown on recent nationwide protests. The first round lastedapproximately one and a half hours, after which American officials departedthe site, followed by a second session in the afternoon, according toeyewitness accounts and state media.
Disagreements over the scope emerged early, highlighting deep rifts.Washington, under Trump, has refused to rule out further military action ifIran fails to comply with demands for verifiable limits on its nuclearprogram. Tehran, in turn, described its missile capabilities asnon-negotiable and emphasized “mutual respect” as a prerequisite forprogress. Iranian state media portrayed the discussions as the initialphase of a longer process, aimed at clarifying a roadmap rather thanachieving immediate breakthroughs. US officials maintained a guardedstance, with no public comments on outcomes by the end of the day.
The negotiations occur amid a US military buildup in the Gulf region,including naval assets positioned to deter potential Iranian responses.President Trump has repeatedly warned of severe consequences, includingadditional strikes, if Tehran does not abandon enrichment beyond civilianlevels. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has faced internalchallenges from mass protests, met with a harsh security response thatreportedly resulted in thousands of deaths and arrests, further strainingthe regime’s legitimacy and bargaining power.
Regional powers and international observers expressed cautious optimismtempered by skepticism. Diplomats from neighboring countries have urgedrestraint, fearing that failure could ignite broader instability. The USevacuation advisory for American citizens in Iran, issued ahead of thetalks, underscored the perceived risks. Experts suggest that while alimited nuclear agreement might be feasible given Iran’s vulnerabilities,broader US demands on missiles and proxies remain major obstacles.
As the day concluded without a joint statement, both delegations appearedto have exchanged initial positions through Omani channels. Iranian sourcesindicated satisfaction with the shuttle-style format, while US participantsfocused on testing Tehran’s willingness to compromise. The outcome of thisfirst day sets the stage for potential follow-up rounds, though analystswarn that entrenched mistrust and external pressures could prolong theimpasse.
The talks highlight the fragile state of US-Iran relations, shaped bydecades of hostility since the 1979 revolution. Previous efforts, includingthe 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal abandoned by Trump in 2018, have failed toproduce lasting stability. With uranium enrichment nearing weapons-gradelevels prior to the June strikes, the current round carries profoundimplications for global non-proliferation and Middle East security.
Source:https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-us-negotiate-oman-amid-deep-rifts-mounting-war-fears-2026-02-06
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