U.S. and Iranian officers held oblique talks in Muscat, Oman, on Friday—signaling the potential restart of nuclear negotiations amid rising tensions between the adversaries. The assembly marked the 2 sides’ first formal diplomatic discussions since U.S. President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Iranian nuclear websites in June 2025 through the 12-day Israel-Iran struggle.
The assembly was initially deliberate to be held in Turkey, with international ministers from Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia additionally set to attend. However Iran efficiently pushed to maneuver the venue to Muscat and to exclude representatives from these different international locations. Axios reported that, based on two unnamed sources, U.S. and Iranian officers met immediately through the talks. The White Home and State Division didn’t instantly reply to Overseas Coverage’s requests for remark.
U.S. and Iranian officers held oblique talks in Muscat, Oman, on Friday—signaling the potential restart of nuclear negotiations amid rising tensions between the adversaries. The assembly marked the 2 sides’ first formal diplomatic discussions since U.S. President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Iranian nuclear websites in June 2025 through the 12-day Israel-Iran struggle.
The assembly was initially deliberate to be held in Turkey, with international ministers from Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia additionally set to attend. However Iran efficiently pushed to maneuver the venue to Muscat and to exclude representatives from these different international locations. Axios reported that, based on two unnamed sources, U.S. and Iranian officers met immediately through the talks. The White Home and State Division didn’t instantly reply to Overseas Coverage’s requests for remark.
Talks are off to a “good begin,” Iranian Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Friday, including that consultations concerning subsequent steps should now be held in Washington and Tehran. Nevertheless, Araghchi additionally warned that “distrust” between the 2 international locations is posing a “severe problem” to negotiations.
“We did be aware that nuclear talks and the decision of the primary points should happen in a relaxed environment, with out pressure and with out threats,” he stated. “The prerequisite for any dialogue is refraining from threats and strain.”
Restraint could also be tough to return by. For the primary time, the US introduced its high army commander within the Center East to the negotiating desk. The participation of U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, the top of the U.S. Central Command, served as a stark reminder of Washington’s army presence within the area.
Learn extra in at the moment’s World Transient: U.S.-Iran Oblique Nuclear Talks Fail to Make Important Progress.
This submit is a part of FP’s ongoing protection of the Trump administration. Comply with alongside right here.
