US-Iran Nuclear Talks in Oman: High-Stakes Diplomacy Begins in Muscat

Indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran concluded in Muscat on Friday, February 6, marking a critical attempt to de-escalate tensions that have brought the Middle East to the brink of a major conflict. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the eight-hour session as a "good start," though he emphasized that a "very deep distrust" remains the primary obstacle to a breakthrough.

Source: Internet

The talks were mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, who conducted shuttle diplomacy between the two delegations.

The US Delegation: Led by Mideast Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior advisor Jared Kushner. Notably, Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), was also present—a move seen as a reminder of the US military's "armada" currently stationed in the Arabian Sea.

The Iranian Delegation: Headed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who maintained that the discussions were "solely nuclear" and did not touch on broader regional issues.

Proposed Framework vs. "Red Lines"

Mediators from Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt have reportedly proposed a framework where Iran would halt uranium enrichment for three years in exchange for sanctions relief. However, Iran has signaled that its "right to enrich" is non-negotiable.

Iran's Stance: Tehran insists that talks must focus exclusively on lifting crippling sanctions and providing guarantees for their civilian nuclear program. Araghchi stated that Iran would not agree to move its uranium stockpile abroad.

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US Stance: The Trump administration, supported by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is pushing for a broader deal that includes Iran’s ballistic missile program and its support for regional proxy groups.

The talks come after a turbulent year, including the "Operation Midnight Hammer" strikes in June 2025 that targeted Iranian nuclear sites. While satellite imagery shows Iran is attempting to repair facilities at Natanz and Isfahan, Western officials believe the program remains significantly degraded.

President Trump, speaking from Air Force One, described the start of the talks as "very good" but issued a stern warning: "If they don't make a deal, the consequences are very steep."

Source : Internet