Iran, US Set for Omani Diplomatic Talks Despite Troubled History

Iran and the United States are preparing for talks in Oman scheduled for Friday. Washington aims to gauge prospects for diplomatic progress on the Iranian nuclear program and other issues while maintaining a readiness to consider military action.

The talks, confirmed by both sides late Wednesday after initial uncertainty about their location, timing, and format, mark the first direct encounter between the two countries since the US joined Israel in launching airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear sites in June.

Delegates will include President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, leading an American delegation, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will head his own team. The discussions are expected to take place in Oman, a Gulf sultanate that has occasionally served as a low-key mediator between Iran and the US.

These meetings come just under a month after widespread protests across Iran against the clerical leadership were met with an exceptionally harsh response from authorities. Rights groups estimate these crackdowns have resulted in thousands of deaths.