Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, left, and Steve Witkoff, right (AP file photos)
Oman on Friday held separate talks with officials from Iran and the United States in Muscat, as tensions remain high over Iran’s nuclear programme.Oman’s foreign ministry said foreign minister Badr al-Busaidi met separately with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, along with Jared Kushner, US president Donald Trump’s son-in-law.“The consultations focused on preparing the appropriate circumstances for resuming the diplomatic and technical negotiations by ensuring the importance of these negotiations, in light of the parties’ determination to ensure their success in achieving sustainable security and stability,” the ministry said.Footage released later by the state-run Oman News Agency showed US Navy Admiral Brad Cooper, head of the US Central Command, was also present. His participation was unusual and had not been seen in previous rounds of talks.Oman had earlier hosted talks between Iran and the US in 2025. Gulf Arab countries remain concerned that any military escalation could lead to a wider regional conflict.
Where negotiations stand
No details of the latest talks have been made public by Oman, the US, or Iran. These discussions are the first since the US joined Israel’s military action against Iran in June. They also come weeks after Iranian authorities launched a crackdown on protests, which rights groups said led to thousands of deaths.Iran has said the talks will focus only on its nuclear programme. Right before the talks on Friday, Araghchi said Iran was fully prepared to defend its sovereignty and national security against any pressure. “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,” he said on X.US officials have said they want talks to also address Iran’s missile programme and its support for regional groups. Iran has maintained that discussions should remain limited to nuclear issues.US secretary of state Marco Rubio said reaching an agreement may be difficult but added, “I’m not sure you can reach a deal with these guys, but we’re going to try to find out.”
Iran-US tensions
Previous talks had collapsed after Israel launched a 12-day war against Iran in June. During that conflict, the US carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, likely damaging centrifuges used to enrich uranium. Israel also targeted Iran’s air defence systems and ballistic missile capabilities.The US has since increased its military presence in the region, deploying the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, other warships, and additional fighter jets. Tensions remain high. US forces recently shot down an Iranian drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln, and Iran also attempted to stop a US-flagged ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
