Indirect diplomacy — also called shuttle diplomacy — is a negotiation method in which two parties communicate through an intermediary rather than directly. It is used when countries lack formal diplomatic relations, when face-to-face talks carry too much domestic political risk, or when trust is so low that direct contact is impossible. Oman has served as the primary U.S.-Iran back-channel intermediary since at least the 2013 nuclear negotiations, because it maintains relations with both countries and is geographically neutral. In the February 2026 Geneva talks, U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stayed in separate rooms; Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi physically carried proposals between the delegations. The IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi participated as a technical interlocutor — one of the few parties both sides would speak to directly.