The United States and Iran will hold direct nuclear negotiations in Oman’s capital, Muscat, today, marking a critical diplomatic engagement amid heightened regional tensions.
The talks, scheduled to begin at 11:30 AM Indian Standard Time, come after days of uncertainty over the venue, format, and agenda.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced the meeting on the social media platform, expressing gratitude to the Omani authorities for facilitating the arrangements.
Akashvani Correspondent reports that Oman, long regarded as a neutral mediator in West Asian diplomacy, has hosted previous rounds of US-Iran talks.
The venue shift to Muscat followed Iran’s insistence on a bilateral format focused strictly on its nuclear program and the lifting of US sanctions. Initial plans reportedly called for talks in Istanbul, Turkey, potentially involving regional actors, but Tehran pushed for the change to limit the scope.
Key participants include Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, while the US delegation is expected to feature West Asia envoy Steve Witkoff and possibly Jared Kushner. The negotiations occur against a backdrop of severe strain in US-Iran relations.
Tensions escalated following a 12-day conflict involving Israel in June 2025, during which US forces bombed and severely damaged key Iranian nuclear facilities, effectively halting Tehran’s program at the time.
Recent months have also seen Iran carry out a bloody crackdown on nationwide protests, further complicating the diplomatic landscape.”
US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in recent comments, stating that he should be very worried.
US officials have emphasised that while Iran seeks to confine discussions to nuclear issues and sanctions relief, Washington insists on addressing Tehran’s ballistic missile program and support for regional proxies.
The US has bolstered its military presence in West Asia, including aircraft carriers and strike platforms, as a show of readiness amid the talks.
This round represents a rare face-to-face engagement following periods of indirect negotiations, offering a narrow window for de-escalation or a risk of further confrontation if no common ground is found.
The international community will be watching closely as the outcome could influence stability across the region, global energy markets, and efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation.
