US and Iran hold indirect nuclear talks in Oman

The talks took place Friday, February 6, 2026, in Muscat, Oman. This was the first round of nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran since U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran the previous summer. The talks were split into two stages within the same day, with Omani mediators shuttling between the delegations. While formally structured as indirect, Axios reported that Witkoff and Kushner met face-to-face with Araghchi during the session.

Iran's Foreign Minister AAAbbas Araghchi led Tehran's delegation. The U.S. sent special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law JKJared Kushner, and U.S. Central Command chief Admiral BCBrad Cooper. Including CENTCOM's top commander is unusual for diplomatic talks. His presence signals military options remain on the table if negotiations fail. It also lets him assess Iranian positions for contingency planning.

The talks focused exclusively on Iran's nuclear program. According to Iran's official news agency IRNA, Araghchi said Tehran didn't discuss any other topics with 🌲Washington. The focus suggests both sides want to separate the nuclear issue from broader regional conflicts, including Iran's support for proxies fighting Israel and U.S. forces.

Araghchi characterized the talks as 'a good start' but acknowledged core differences remain unresolved. A statement from Oman's Foreign Ministry said the indirect talks aimed to prepare ground for resuming diplomatic and technical negotiations on Iranian nuclear issues. Neither side provided details on what was actually discussed or where disagreements lie.

Trump continued threatening Iran even as talks proceeded. He warned Iran faces 'very steep' consequences if it doesn't make a deal over its nuclear program. This demonstrates Trump's dual-track approach of pursuing diplomacy while maintaining military and economic pressure. The threats give U.S. negotiators leverage but could also collapse talks if Iran views them as bad faith.

The U.S. has significantly increased military forces in the Middle East region. This buildup occurred in recent weeks amid escalating threats against Iran. Carrier strike groups, fighter squadrons, and additional troops deployed to the region. The military presence backs up diplomatic pressure with the credible threat of force. It also aims to deter Iran from taking actions that could spark conflict.

Oman plays a unique mediating role because it maintains diplomatic relations with both 🌲Washington and Tehran. The sultanate has facilitated U.S.-Iran talks before, including secret negotiations that led to the 2015 nuclear deal. Omani officials shuttle between the parties, conveying positions and seeking common ground. This lets both sides explore options without the political cost of direct talks.

The absence of formal U.S.-Iran diplomatic relations means they can't communicate directly through normal channels. The U.S. and Iran broke relations in 1979 after Iran's Islamic Revolution and the American embassy hostage crisis. They've had no embassies in each other's countries for 45 years. Third-party mediators like Oman provide the only mechanism for sustained dialogue.