US-Iran nuclear talks shifted from Istanbul to Oman after diplomatic standoff

US-Iran nuclear talks originally scheduled for Istanbul were scrapped and relocated to Muscat, Oman, after a four-day diplomatic standoff beginning February 2, 2026. Iran demanded the meeting be bilateral and held in Oman to limit discussion to nuclear issues; the US initially rejected the request, then reversed course after at least nine regional governments lobbied the White House not to cancel. The talks ultimately proceeded in Oman on February 6 with Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper representing the US.