Iran and the United States are set to hold a fresh round of negotiations in Oman this Friday, following consultations between the two sides, according to Iranian media reports. The talks will follow the same format as previous rounds, with Oman once again acting as mediator and host.
The semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that the negotiations will be conducted indirectly, as in earlier engagements, and will focus exclusively on Iran’s nuclear programme and the sanctions imposed on Tehran. Muscat has historically served as a neutral venue for Iran–US talks, particularly on the nuclear issue, due to Oman’s longstanding diplomatic ties with both countries.
Iranian And US Delegations
Iran’s delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, accompanied by senior diplomats Majid Takht-Ravanchi and Kazem Gharibabadi, both of whom have been involved in previous rounds. On the US side, Washington is expected to be represented by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Iranian news agency ISNA reported.
Tasnim said the upcoming discussions would mirror earlier rounds in both structure and scope, signalling that no additional issues would be added to the agenda beyond the nuclear file and sanctions relief. Previous negotiations held in Oman in 2025 helped narrow differences, though key disagreements remained unresolved.
What Washington Wants From Tehran
The United States is pressing Iran for major concessions, including ending uranium enrichment, curbing missile capabilities, and halting support for proxy groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis. The demands reflect long-standing U.S. concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional influence. President Donald Trump has stressed that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is the top priority, while warning that diplomacy does not rule out military action.
Trump's Warning
US President Donald Trump confirmed earlier this week that negotiations with Iran were underway, but declined to specify the venue. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump warned that “bad things” could happen if a deal was not reached. A source familiar with the matter said Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, may participate alongside Witkoff, though this has not been officially confirmed.
The talks come amid rising tensions in the region. On Tuesday, the US military shot down an Iranian drone that approached the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea. In a separate incident in the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps forces reportedly approached a US-flagged tanker at high speed before the vessel escaped.