US confirms Iran nuclear talks will proceed Friday in Oman's capital

2026-02-04 - 21:15

The United States has formally confirmed that high-stakes negotiations with Iran regarding its nuclear program are scheduled for Friday in Oman's capital, Muscat. A White House official, speaking anonymously to Anadolu on Wednesday, provided the confirmation, ending a period of public uncertainty over whether the talks would proceed amidst diplomatic friction. Overcoming Venue and Format Disputes The announcement follows conflicting reports earlier in the week. While Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also confirmed the Muscat meeting for Friday morning, US media outlet Axios had quoted an unnamed US official stating Washington rejected Iranian demands to change the location or format, leading to a "this or nothing" ultimatum. The original proposed venue was Istanbul, where Türkiye had actively mediated to lower tensions. Divergent Agendas and Iranian Conditions Iranian officials have signaled a narrow scope for the discussions. Citing a source, Iran's Mehr News Agency stated that Washington's attempt to include "issues outside the nuclear framework, including defense matters," is unacceptable. The source emphasized such topics are tied to national security and "fundamentally non-negotiable," asserting Iran is only ready to negotiate on nuclear matters based on mutual respect. Regional Mediation and Heightened Tensions Oman has historically served as a mediator in indirect US-Iran contacts. The planned talks occur against a backdrop of significant regional military buildup by the US and repeated threats from President Donald Trump. Several nations, including Türkiye, have recently offered to mediate, highlighting the international concern over a potential escalation. The core dispute remains unchanged: the US and Israel accuse Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, while Tehran insists its program is peaceful.