The US and Iran are set to hold talks in Oman this Friday over Tehran’s nuclear programme, a regional official stated. However, fears of a confrontation loom as Washington has massed troops in the Middle East following recent incidents involving drones and vessels near Persian Gulf waters.
Iran initially sought these discussions to continue previous negotiations held in Turkey regarding its nuclear ambitions. The country now requests a change of venue to Oman to avoid broader disputes touching upon ballistic missiles—a red line for Tehran.
Tehran has insisted on maintaining focus solely on the nuclear front, while Washington has pushed for more extensive dialogue covering issues like missile proliferation and support for regional proxies.
Oil prices rose Wednesday amid heightened tensions following US military action against an Iranian drone and Iran’s subsequent aggressive maneuvers near a US-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Trump remains resolute in his stance, warning that no agreement will be reached without concessions from Tehran. This has ramped up pressure on the Islamic Republic, leading to mutual threats of airstrikes and escalating fears over potential conflict.
On Tuesday, the US military shot down an Iranian drone near the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea. Speaking at the White House, Trump confirmed negotiations were ongoing but did not specify where they would occur.
Several other regional countries were expected to participate: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. However, the Oman-based official emphasized Iran’s desire for bilateral talks with the US only.
In June, the US had already targeted Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day Israeli bombardment. More recently, following Iran’s violent response to anti-government protests, US naval forces reinforced their presence in the region.
Efforts aim to prevent conflict and de-escalate tensions; however, Iran remains unyielding on its ballistic missile program—a top concern for Trump’s administration. Since June strikes, Tehran claims it has halted all uranium enrichment activities.
On Tuesday, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps vessels approached a US-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz at high speed, threatening boarding and seizure. Instead, the vessel accelerated and continued sailing.
With such heightened tensions and conflicting demands, the diplomatic process remains crucial to averting conflict.