Iran and US resume indirect talks in Muscat amid war fears

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

MUSCAT, OMAN — Iranian and U.S. officials resumed indirect negotiations in the Omani capital of Muscat on Feb. 6, marking the first significant diplomatic engagement since contact was severed following mutual attacks in June 2025.

Hosted by Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad AlBusaidi, the talks aim to establish a framework for de-escalating rising tensions in the Middle East and addressing the future of Iran's nuclear program.

"A good start" despite deep divides

The Iranian delegation was led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while the United States was represented by President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. Following the conclusion of the session, Araghchi described the atmosphere as constructive.

"Our perspectives and concerns regarding the rights of the Iranian people were conveyed to the other side. It was a good start," Araghchi told Iranian state television, adding that a consensus exists on the principle of continuing the process. "We need to overcome the mistrust caused by previous attacks and define a framework for future talks."

Omani Foreign Minister AlBusaidi confirmed that "serious mediation" took place, noting that both sides clarified their positions to identify potential areas for progress.

Disagreements on the agenda

Despite the resumption of dialogue, significant hurdles remain regarding the scope of the negotiations. The U.S. administration, signaling a tougher stance, is pushing for a broader agreement. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington wants the talks to cover not just the nuclear program, but also Iran's ballistic missile capabilities and its support for regional armed groups.

In contrast, Tehran insists on limiting the scope. Foreign Minister Araghchi emphasized that Iran is seeking an "honorable and fair agreement" focused solely on the nuclear issue. The primary points of contention continue to be uranium enrichment levels and the transfer of highly enriched uranium out of the country.

Internal backlash in Tehran

The negotiations have sparked controversy within Iran’s domestic political sphere. Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, criticized the reported presence of CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper in the U.S. delegation.

Rezaei argued that the presence of U.S. military personnel violates Iranian law, citing the parliament's 2019 designation of CENTCOM as a "terrorist organization."

www.wisenewspress.com