Tehran, Iran – A Gulf official told Reuters on Wednesday that final arrangements are underway for direct talks between the United States and Iran to be held in Oman on Friday. This move could represent a significant diplomatic breakthrough amid escalating regional and international tensions. The official confirmed that the option of holding the talks in Turkey is no longer on the table, after the parties involved agreed on Muscat as the meeting venue.
The official explained that the upcoming round of talks will begin with discussions on the Iranian nuclear program, considered the most pressing and sensitive issue. He added that other issues will be addressed gradually, depending on the progress of the discussions between the two sides. The official did not disclose the level of representation or the names of the participants in these talks.
These developments come at a time of heightened anticipation in the region, against the backdrop of the growing US military buildup in the Middle East. Concerns have also increased about the possibility of a military strike against Iran should the diplomatic track fail. Washington has repeatedly affirmed that the diplomatic option remains on the table, but has not ruled out other options if no agreement is reached.
In contrast, Tehran insists that any negotiations must be limited to its nuclear program, refusing to expand the agenda to include its missile program or its regional influence. These are key points of contention between the two sides. Iran demands clear guarantees regarding the lifting of sanctions and adherence to previous agreements.
The Sultanate of Oman has a long history of playing a mediating role between Washington and Tehran, having previously hosted both secret and public talks that paved the way for the 2015 nuclear agreement. This history grants it the confidence of both sides to manage this type of sensitive dialogue.
Observers believe that holding direct talks, if officially confirmed, could contribute to reducing tensions and open a limited window for reviving the diplomatic process. This comes despite the complexity and entanglement of the issues at the present stage.
