Iran-US To Meet In Oman Amid Regional Buildup

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Dubai- Iran and the United States are scheduled to hold indirect nuclear negotiations on February 6 in Muscat, the capital of Oman, according to Iranian media reports published Wednesday. The talks come at a moment of heightened regional tension and renewed diplomatic manoeuvring, with both sides signalling sharply different expectations over the scope of negotiations.

Iranian officials say the discussions will be strictly limited to Tehran's nuclear programme and the lifting of US sanctions. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will lead the Iranian delegation, accompanied by senior diplomats Majid Ravanchi and Kazem Gharibabadi. The US will be represented by envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and advisor.

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The format is expected to mirror the structure of negotiations held last year, before talks were derailed by a sudden escalation in hostilities. A sixth round had been planned at the time but was cancelled after Israel launched a large-scale military campaign against Iran, later joined by US forces, resulting in a 12-day war.

The latest round was initially planned for Istanbul but was relocated to Muscat at Iran's request. Tehran has repeatedly emphasised that any engagement must remain focused solely on nuclear issues, ruling out negotiations over its ballistic missile programme or regional influence. This position directly clashes with Washington's stated demands.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said any meaningful negotiations must address both Iran's nuclear activities and its missile development. Iran has rejected that framework, insisting that expanding the agenda would amount to imposing“illogical demands” that would doom diplomacy from the outset. Iranians argue that productive talks require an atmosphere free from threats and coercion.

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