US, Iran wrap up critical Oman talks as tensions persist
US president Donald Trump described the discussions as “very good talks,” but stressed that much remains unresolved, reports CNN.
The United States and Iran concluded indirect negotiations in Oman yesterday (6 February), marking the highest level diplomatic engagement between the two nations in months.
US president Donald Trump described the discussions as "very good talks," but stressed that much remains unresolved, reports CNN.
"Iran looks like it wants to make a deal very badly," Trump said aboard Air Force One, adding that the ultimate outcome will depend on what terms Tehran is willing to accept.
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The meetings held in the Gulf Arab state of Oman represented the first formal round of exchanges since last summer's military strikes by the US and Israel against Iranian targets.
Officials from both sides have agreed to continue talks following consultations with their respective capitals, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.
Trump warned that Iran could face military action if it uses lethal force against protesters or rejects a nuclear deal.
Abbas Araghchi, Iran's deputy foreign minister, emphasized a cautious but firm approach on X, "We enter diplomacy with open eyes and a steady memory of the past year. We engage in good faith and stand firm on our rights."
Despite describing the talks as productive, Trump said a "big fleet" was heading toward Iran.
Who took part?
Iran's Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff participated in the indirect talks, joined by Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi mediated, holding separate consultations.
Photos showed Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), present, highlighting the military-diplomatic stakes.
Iranian media noted the format mirrored previous Oman-facilitated rounds; talks stalled last June after Israel and the US struck Iranian nuclear and military sites following five rounds of indirect negotiations.
What was on the table?
During the talks, Araghchi presented Oman with a "preliminary plan" to "manage the current situation" with the US, which Oman passed on to Washington for a response to be relayed back to Tehran.
The scope of discussions was unclear. Iran insisted the focus remain solely on the nuclear issue, excluding ballistic missiles, regional proxies, or domestic unrest. The US pushed for a broader agenda covering Iran's missile program, armed proxies, and its crackdown on protests.
Central to the nuclear talks is Iran's demand to enrich uranium, which can be used for civilian energy or, at high purity, nuclear weapons. Tehran offered safeguards to prevent weaponization but seeks sanctions relief, a condition rejected by the US and its allies.
After the meetings, the US imposed new sanctions on Iranian oil and 14 vessels carrying it. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said, "Instead of investing in the welfare of its own people and crumbling infrastructure, the Iranian regime continues to fund destabilizing activities around the world and step up its repression inside Iran."
What's at stake?
The US has recently deployed major military assets to the Middle East, including the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, raising fears that any miscalculation could spark open conflict. Trump has described the buildup as a precaution, calling it an "armada" en route to the region "just in case," though he stressed hopes to avoid war. His Friday comments about a "big fleet" arriving soon signal that tensions remain high.
Regional governments have urged de-escalation, warning that an attack on Iran could destabilize an already volatile region. Tehran has vowed to respond to any US strike, with a vast arsenal of missiles and drones capable of targeting American forces and assets. Last summer, Iran retaliated against US bombings of nuclear sites with a missile strike on al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the region's largest US military installation.
Beyond conventional weapons, Iran could mobilize its network of militias and proxies, threatening Israel, US interests, and global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for more than a fifth of the world's oil and a large share of liquefied natural gas exports.
