ISLAMABAD: The United States has formally agreed to Iran’s request torelocate the venue of critical nuclear negotiations from Istanbul in Turkeyto Muscat in Oman, with the discussions now set to take place on Friday.This development follows Tehran’s insistence on a change to ensure thetalks remain strictly bilateral and centered on the nuclear file, avoidingbroader regional issues such as ballistic missiles and proxy support. Theshift comes against a backdrop of heightened military tensions in theMiddle East, including recent incidents involving drones and naval assets,as both sides seek to de-escalate before potential further confrontation.
Iran initiated contacts with the foreign ministers of Turkey, Oman, andQatar to explore alternative hosting options after initial plans pointed toIstanbul. Tehran expressed a clear preference for Oman, citing its historyas a neutral mediator in previous rounds of indirect nuclear discussionsbetween the two adversaries. Reports from regional sources indicate thatIranian officials viewed Turkey as potentially expanding the agenda toinclude participation from multiple Arab and Muslim nations as observers,which could dilute focus on the core nuclear dispute.
The Trump administration, through its special envoy, responded positivelyto the venue adjustment, demonstrating a willingness to accommodate Iran’sconditions to keep diplomatic channels open. An Arab diplomatic sourcefamiliar with the deliberations confirmed that the talks are expected toproceed in Oman on the designated day, though uncertainties persistregarding the exact format and whether regional countries will retain anyobservational role. This concession underscores Washington’s priority onpreventing escalation following recent military build-ups in the region.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has emphasized that Tehran seeksonly direct or indirect two-way negotiations with the United States on thenuclear programme. He reiterated that other matters, including Iran’smissile capabilities and regional alliances, remain non-negotiable redlines for the Islamic Republic. This position aligns with Tehran’slong-standing stance that nuclear diplomacy must remain isolated frombroader security concerns raised by the US and its allies.
The original framework for Friday’s meeting envisioned a wider gathering inIstanbul, with foreign ministers from Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, Oman, theUnited Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan potentially involved tofacilitate dialogue and avert conflict. Iran’s push for a narrower,bilateral approach reflects concerns that multilateral participation couldpressure Tehran into concessions on non-nuclear issues, particularly afterlast year’s military exchanges that included US strikes on Iranian nuclearfacilities.
Oman has historically served as a reliable backchannel for US-Irancommunication, hosting several rounds of indirect talks in recent yearsbefore interruptions caused by regional flare-ups. The return to Muscat isseen by analysts as a strategic choice by Iran to leverage Oman’s provenneutrality and avoid perceptions of yielding to Turkish mediation, whichmight carry implications tied to Ankara’s relations with other regionalplayers.
The timing of this venue shift coincides with intensified US militaryposture in the Middle East, including carrier strike group deployments andheightened alerts following reported incidents such as the downing ofdrones and threats to maritime traffic. Diplomatic sources suggest thatboth sides are motivated to resume talks as a means of de-escalation, withthe Trump administration maintaining that military options remain availableif negotiations fail to yield progress on curbing Iran’s nuclearadvancements.
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Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson has downplayed speculation over venueand timing, stating that such details should not become media controversiesand that multiple friendly countries, including Turkey and Oman, hadoffered to host. This measured response indicates Tehran’s desire toproject confidence while preserving flexibility in the lead-up to Friday’ssession.
The outcome of these talks could prove pivotal in determining whetherdiplomatic engagement gains momentum or if underlying mistrust leads torenewed standoffs. Observers note that Iran’s insistence on bilateral focusand a familiar venue like Oman may facilitate more substantive exchanges onenrichment limits and sanctions relief, though deep divergences persistover verification mechanisms and long-term restrictions.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2026/02/03/iran-us-nuclear-negotiations-format
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