US-Iran talks were scheduled to take place in Turkey this week, but they have been moved to Oman. Throughout the week, there were questions about whether the talks would happen at all.
“US and Iran talks brought back from the brink after White House relents on move to Oman,” a Guardian headline read. “Talks that had been scheduled in Turkey were salvaged after Arab states convinced the White House not to walk away from negotiations,” it said.
France 24 also mentioned that the talks will take place in Oman. “Washington and Tehran said on Wednesday that US-Iran talks will take place on Friday in Oman, easing fears that negotiations were close to breaking down after disputes over the meeting’s venue and format,” it reported.
The issues to be discussed include Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has been in the Middle East as the talks are being prepared.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “I think in order for talks to actually lead to something meaningful, they will have to include certain things, and that includes the range of their ballistic missiles.”
When it comes to US Vice President JD Vance, he has brought up the complexities of dealing with Iran. The challenge is that the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, does not attend the talks himself or communicate directly with the US.
The US is stuck dealing with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. US President Donald Trump cannot engage in personal diplomacy, which is his hallmark, further complicating the talks.
What to expect now that we are expecting talks in Oman is what the question boils down to. Al Ain news in the UAE identified several criteria worth keeping an eye on.
With Araghchi writing on X/Twitter that “nuclear talks with the United States are scheduled to take place in Muscat on Friday at approximately 10:00 a.m.,” Al Ain detailed “what you need to know about Iran’s nuclear program and the tensions that are casting a shadow over relations between Tehran and Washington.”
First, it said, one needs to pay attention to the importance Trump has placed on the talks and his personal outreach.
Second, “Oman had mediated talks between... Araghchi and... Witkoff, with the two men meeting face-to-face after indirect talks, a rare occurrence given decades of tension between the two countries. But things were not entirely smooth sailing.”
“Witkoff stated in a television interview that Iran’s enrichment of uranium to 3.67% might be acceptable, the same percentage stipulated in the 2015 nuclear agreement from which the United States withdrew unilaterally under Trump,” Al Ain continued.
Third, there is the 12-day war last year between Israel and Iran, as well as the recent protests to consider, it said. “Iran later acknowledged in November that the attacks had brought its uranium enrichment activities in the country to a complete halt, although inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency were unable to visit the bombed sites.”
Western media speculates on Iran nuclear talks
“Iran has consistently insisted for decades that its nuclear program is peaceful. But the International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran is the only non-nuclear country that enriches uranium to 60%, close to the 90% needed to make a nuclear bomb.”
Iran has “about 9,870 kg. [of uranium], with some of it enriched to 60%,” the report stressed.
The overall context is that countries in the region mostly oppose US strikes on Iran. However, they also do not want to see Iranian threats to regional stability continue. They are closely monitoring the venue’s shift from Turkey to Oman.
Although Ankara and Tehran have warm relations, it appears that Iran believes Oman will be better in the long run for talks. Oman has often positioned itself as neutral in the region. Regardless, historically speaking, it too has a warm relationship with Iran.
The talks follow Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Saudi Arabia and Egypt. His trip did not appear to show urgency in preventing conflict with Iran. Countries in the region seem to believe the January crisis has passed.
Meanwhile, Witkoff has already demonstrated that there are additional gains to be had in the region. “Today, delegations from the United States, Ukraine, and Russia agreed to exchange 314 prisoners – the first such exchange in five months,” he posted on X on Thursday.
“This outcome was achieved from peace talks that have been detailed and productive. While significant work remains, steps such as these demonstrate that sustained diplomatic engagement is delivering tangible results and advancing efforts to end the war in Ukraine,” he continued.
“Discussions will continue, with additional progress anticipated in the coming weeks. We thank the United Arab Emirates for hosting these discussions, and President Donald J. Trump for his leadership in making this agreement possible,” Witkoff said.