Iranian security chief meets Oman’s sultan as U.S. talks continue

Tuesday 10 - 14:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Iranian security chief meets Oman’s sultan as U.S. talks continue

Iran and the United States have held their first nuclear discussions since a 12-day conflict last June, agreeing to keep diplomatic efforts alive despite deep mistrust and sharply different demands. The indirect talks, mediated by Oman, took place in Muscat on February 6, with follow-up consultations now under way as Iran’s top security official met Omani leaders on Tuesday.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the discussions as a “good start” while stressing that significant obstacles remain to rebuilding trust between the two sides. Araghchi led Tehran’s delegation, while U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner represented Washington. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi facilitated the process by meeting each delegation separately and relaying messages between them.

According to Araghchi, the talks focused solely on Iran’s nuclear program, with Tehran declining to address other issues. U.S. officials, however, have maintained that any comprehensive agreement must also cover Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities and its support for regional proxy groups. Araghchi rejected those demands, saying missile programs were a matter of national defense and not open to negotiation. He added that Iran had also dismissed U.S. calls for zero uranium enrichment, though both sides examined options to reduce Iran’s uranium stockpiles.

Diplomatic engagement continued with the arrival in Muscat of Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and a close adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Larijani met Sultan Haitham bin Tariq to discuss recent developments in the Iran–U.S. talks and possible paths toward what Omani officials described as a balanced and fair agreement. Iran’s Tasnim news agency said the meeting took place in a positive and constructive atmosphere, and Larijani is also expected to hold talks with Foreign Minister al-Busaidi.

The renewed dialogue comes against a backdrop of heightened U.S. military deployments in the region. The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and additional F-15E strike aircraft have been sent to the Middle East, with Pentagon officials describing the posture as defensive but ready for contingencies. These are the first substantive contacts between Washington and Tehran since last year’s fighting, when Israel carried out major strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, followed by U.S. attacks on three Iranian sites. President Donald Trump has described the Muscat talks as very positive and said negotiations would continue, though no date has been announced for the next round.