The United States and Iran are scheduled to hold nuclear talks in Oman on Friday, as both sides look for ways to reduce growing tensions in the Middle East, according to a regional official.
Iran requested that the meeting be moved to Oman from Türkiye, hoping to keep discussions limited strictly to its nuclear programme. Tehran wants to avoid expanding the agenda to include issues such as its ballistic missile programme, which Iranian officials have described as a non-negotiable red line.
Iran has repeatedly stated it will not compromise on its missile capabilities, calling them essential for national defence. The country also said it has rebuilt its missile stockpile after coming under Israeli attacks last year and warned it would respond forcefully if its security is threatened.
The talks come amid heightened military activity in the region. Oil prices rose on Wednesday after the US shot down an Iranian drone and Iranian patrol boats approached a US-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, raising fresh fears of escalation between Washington and Tehran.
US President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran are already underway but did not share details about the location. Sources familiar with the matter said Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, along with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, are expected to take part. While ministers from several regional countries were initially expected to attend, Iran reportedly pushed for direct, bilateral talks with the United States only.
Tensions between the two countries have remained high since June, when the US struck Iranian nuclear facilities during the final days of an Israeli bombing campaign. More recently, Washington increased its naval presence in the region following Iran’s harsh response to anti-government protests last month.
Iranian sources say the US has demanded three main conditions for restarting talks: zero uranium enrichment, limits on Iran’s missile programme, and an end to its support for regional allies. Tehran has rejected these demands, calling them violations of its sovereignty. Iranian officials believe the missile issue, more than uranium enrichment, remains the biggest obstacle to progress.
Iran has also said its uranium enrichment activities have stopped since the June strikes, insisting its nuclear programme is meant for peaceful purposes.
In another recent incident, Iranian Revolutionary Guard boats reportedly approached a US-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz and ordered it to prepare for boarding. The vessel instead sped away and continued its journey.
Despite the mounting pressure, regional officials say the main goal of the Oman talks is to prevent conflict and bring down tensions, as both sides try to avoid a wider confrontation in an already fragile region.
