Iran and U.S. Launch Talks in Oman Amid Rising Middle East Tensions Over Nuclear Dispute
Iran and the United States have initiated delicate diplomatic talks in Oman, as both nations seek to bridge deep divisions over Tehran’s nuclear program amid growing fears that a failure in diplomacy could ignite a wider conflict in the Middle East.
The discussions, facilitated by Oman through indirect shuttle diplomacy, underscore the enduring mistrust between Washington and Tehran—even as both sides signal a willingness to re-engage.
While the United States expresses openness to reviving nuclear negotiations, Washington insists the talks should extend beyond uranium enrichment. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized on Wednesday that discussions should also address Iran’s ballistic missile program, its backing of armed groups across the region, and its domestic human rights record.
Iran, however, has firmly rejected any expansion of the agenda. Tehran insists that talks in Muscat, conducted between Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, remain narrowly focused on nuclear issues.
US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner—who previously helped mediate Gaza ceasefire efforts—is also expected to participate.
“Iran enters diplomacy with open eyes and a steady memory of the past year. We engage in good faith and stand firm on our rights. Commitments need to be honored,” Araqchi stated on X on Friday.
An Iranian official told Reuters that while formal talks have yet to begin, the country’s positions have already been conveyed to the United States through Oman.
Indirect negotiations are expected to commence following a meeting between Witkoff and Oman’s foreign minister, continuing the shuttle diplomacy approach used in past engagements.
Tensions remain high as Iran’s clerical leadership fears potential US military action following a significant naval buildup in the region.
In June, the United States struck Iranian nuclear sites in the final stages of a 12-day Israeli bombing campaign, after which Tehran reportedly halted uranium enrichment activities.
The US naval presence—described by Trump as a massive “armada”—followed a violent crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran last month, further straining relations.
Trump has warned that “bad things” could occur if negotiations fail, intensifying pressure amid a standoff marked by mutual threats of air strikes.
While Iran maintains that its right to enrich uranium is non-negotiable and demands the lifting of sanctions reimposed after the US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal, Washington, European allies, and Israel accuse Iran of pursuing a weapons capability under the guise of a civilian program. Tehran denies the allegations, insisting its nuclear activities are entirely peaceful.
Israel has consistently linked Iran’s missile program to nuclear ambitions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Iran’s nuclear and missile programs as “two lumps of cancer,” highlighting what he perceives as a direct threat to regional security.
Meanwhile, Iran’s regional influence has waned. Its allies, known as the Axis of Resistance, have been significantly weakened or dismantled since the outbreak of the Hamas-Israel conflict in Gaza and the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria.
As diplomacy unfolds in Muscat, the world watches closely, aware that the stakes in the Middle East have never been higher.
