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IRAN’S top diplomat has described ongoing nuclear talks with the United States, mediated by Oman, as having started positively and being set to continue, offering a cautious sign of hope in a region increasingly fraught with tension.
Speaking after meetings in the Omani capital, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the dialogue “requires refraining from threats and pressure” and emphasised that “Tehran only discusses its nuclear issue … We do not discuss any other issue with the U.S.”
The talks involved U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Reuters cited that while both sides have signalled a willingness to revive diplomacy over Iran’s longstanding nuclear dispute, Washington had sought to expand the discussions to cover Tehran’s ballistic missiles, support for regional armed groups, and human rights practices, according to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
However, an Iranian diplomat briefed on the discussions told Reuters that Tehran insisted on its “right to enrich uranium” and did not raise its missile programme in the negotiations.
Iran has consistently ruled out discussing its missile arsenal, one of the largest in the Middle East, while seeking international recognition of its nuclear enrichment activities.
The diplomat said Iran showed openness to negotiating the “level and purity” of enrichment or exploring alternative arrangements, including the possibility of a regional consortium.
In return, Iran requested “efficient and immediate sanctions relief, including banking and oil, and the moving of U.S. military assets away from Iran.”
Washington, for its part, views nuclear enrichment inside Iran as a red line, fearing it could provide a pathway to weaponisation, which Tehran denies intending.
Araqchi told state television that “it was a good start to the negotiations” and added that “there is an understanding on continuing the talks.
Coordination on how to proceed will be decided in the capitals. If this process continues, I think we will reach a good framework for an understanding.”
Omani Foreign Minister and mediator Badr al-Busaidi described the discussions as “very serious,” emphasising that the outcomes will be carefully considered in both Tehran and Washington, with plans to reconvene at a later date.
Despite the diplomatic efforts, the U.S. announced sanctions on 15 entities and 14 shadow-fleet vessels linked to illicit trade in Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products, signalling that pressure on Tehran remains high.
Concurrently, a U.S. naval buildup in the region has heightened fears of conflict, with Trump warning that “bad things” could occur if a deal is not reached.
Iranian leadership has expressed concern over potential strikes, noting that any attack could implicate neighbouring Gulf Arab states hosting U.S. forces.
In a show of defiance, Iranian state television reported the deployment of the Khorramshahr-4, one of Iran’s most advanced long-range ballistic missiles, at a Revolutionary Guard underground missile facility.
World powers and regional actors continue to monitor the talks closely, fearing that a breakdown in negotiations could escalate into open conflict, further destabilising a critical oil-producing region.
The delicate balance of diplomacy, sanctions, and military posturing underscores the high stakes as Tehran and Washington navigate one of the Middle East’s most volatile disputes. - February 7, 2026