US and Iran Begin High-Stakes Nuclear Talks in Muscat Amid Regional Strain

Diplomatic engagements between officials from the United States and Iran commenced on Friday, February 6, 2026, in Muscat, Oman, focusing on the contentious Iranian nuclear program. These high-level discussions are unfolding against a backdrop of significant international tension, exacerbated by reports of deadly anti-government unrest within Iran during the preceding month.

This round of talks marks the first direct diplomatic meeting between Washington and Tehran since the twelve-day military conflict last June, which involved direct strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities by Israel, followed by subsequent US involvement. The negotiations faced an initial procedural challenge regarding the venue, which was ultimately resolved after diplomatic efforts by at least nine regional nations urged the US to adhere to the scheduled date.

The American delegation is led by White House Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, who has also served as a de facto envoy to Russian President Vladimir Putin since 2025; Jared Kushner is also part of the US contingent. Representing Tehran is Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who has been the principal US contact since August 2024 and is recognized for his seasoned diplomatic experience. Prior to the main bilateral sessions, Araghchi held preliminary discussions with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, who also conducted separate consultations with the US envoys.

The core divergence in objectives remains pronounced. Washington is pressing for substantive progress concerning Iran's nuclear activities, its ballistic missile capabilities, and Tehran's support for regional proxy forces. Conversely, the Iranian delegation maintains that the negotiations must be strictly confined to nuclear matters and the removal of US sanctions, explicitly excluding missile programs and regional influence.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the US objective is to explore "zero nuclear capability" for Iran, while also warning that President Trump retains "many options at his disposal" beyond the current diplomatic track. Oman's selection as the venue is based on its historical role as a trusted mediator between the two adversarial nations, a function it has performed since facilitating messages during earlier negotiations, including those leading to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The venue shifted from an initially planned location in Istanbul to Muscat following a request from Iran for an insulated bilateral setting, a request accommodated by Washington after lobbying from several Arab and Islamic nations.

Foreign Minister Araghchi publicly stated that Tehran approaches this diplomacy "with open eyes and a steady memory of the past year," emphasizing that "Equal standing, mutual respect and mutual interest are not rhetoric -- they are a must and the pillars of a durable agreement." Furthermore, Araghchi issued a direct criticism of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, denouncing Germany as an "engine of regression" for its perceived support of the June Israeli strikes and pressure to reimpose UN sanctions. The entire exercise underscores the fragility of the current détente, as both sides enter discussions with maximalist positions and the threat of renewed military action looms should dialogue falter.