US and Iranian officials launched the US-Iran talks in Oman on Friday in Muscat. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, while the US team — led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — held separate meetings with the Omani host.

Oman mediates the discussions, which appear indirect. The two sides remain divided on the agenda: Iran insists talks cover only the nuclear programme, while the US seeks to address ballistic missiles, regional proxies and human rights.

US-Iran Talks in Oman Aim to Prevent Further Escalation

The negotiations mark the first face-to-face contact since US and Israeli strikes hit Iran’s main nuclear sites in June 2025. Iran says its enrichment activities halted after those attacks.

The latest round follows widespread protests in Iran that began in late December 2025 over economic collapse and quickly turned political. Authorities responded with a brutal crackdown. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports at least 6,495 protesters and hundreds of security personnel killed, with thousands more cases under review.

President Donald Trump previously threatened further military action if Iran failed to reach a deal, describing a US naval “armada” now in the region. Iran’s armed forces remain on high alert.

Divisions Persist Despite Diplomatic Push

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian instructed Araghchi to pursue “fair and equitable” negotiations, provided a suitable environment exists. Araghchi stated on social media: “Iran enters diplomacy with open eyes and a steady memory of the past year. We engage in good faith and stand firm on our rights.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said any meaningful deal must go beyond the nuclear file. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt reiterated Trump’s demand for “zero nuclear capability.”

The talks, originally planned for Istanbul with regional participants, shifted to Oman at Iran’s request and were narrowed to bilateral format.

The US-Iran talks in Oman represent a narrow window for de-escalation. Regional mediators hope a nuclear framework can emerge, though deep differences persist. Further announcements are expected in the coming days.