Iran confirms nuclear talks with US in Muscat amid tense diplomacy

Iran on Wednesday confirmed that fresh nuclear talks with the United States US will be held in Muscat on Friday morning amid heightened diplomatic tensions between the two sidesIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced the development on X saying ldquoNuclear talks with the United States are scheduled to be held in Muscat on about 10 am Friday Irsquom grateful to our Omani brothers for making all necessary arrangementsrdquoNuclear talks with the United States are scheduled to be held in Muscat on about 10 am Friday Im grateful to our Omani brothers for making all necessary arrangementsmdash Seyed Abbas Araghchi araghchi February 4 2026The announcement comes as Tehran and Washington prepare for another round of indirect negotiations after Iran sought a change of venue from Istanbul news agency ANI reported quoting Iranian state broadcaster Press TVEarlier Iranian media said the talks would be strictly limited to the countryrsquos peaceful nuclear energy programme and the lifting of sanctions reiterating Tehranrsquos longstanding position that no other issues would be on the agendaAraghchi is expected to head the Iranian delegation accompanied by senior diplomats Majid TakhtRavanchi and Kazem Gharibabadi ANI reported The US delegation will be led by White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff according to reports The talks will be held indirectly with Oman acting as mediatorPress TV said the format would be similar to earlier rounds conducted before last Junersquos USIsraeli war on Iran which disrupted the diplomatic processAny engagement with Washington must remain confined to nuclear issues say Iranian officialsAraghchi and Witkoff had led five rounds of nuclear talks last year but the process was suspended after Israel launched what Iranian officials described as an unprovoked war of aggression just two days before a planned sixth round The conflict later joined by the US reportedly left more than a thousand people dead in Iran and caused extensive damage to civilian military and scientific facilitiesAgainst this backdrop Iranian officials have repeatedly stressed that any engagement with Washington must remain confined to nuclear issues ruling out negotiations on Iranrsquos missile programme or its regional role They have also said talks can succeed only in an atmosphere free from threats and what they described as illogical or illegal demands Press TV reportedSenior figures including Ali Shamkhani advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei have emphasised that respect and realism are essential for progress in discussions with the USThe renewed diplomatic push comes amid escalating tensions across West Asia and an increased US military presence in the regionIn early January US President Donald Trump warned Iran of attacks if the country harmed ldquopeaceful protestersrdquo Days later coordinated attacks targeted police stations military installations and civilian infrastructure in several Iranian cities prompting a security response Iranian officials said the attacks were aimed at causing mass casualties and destabilising urban centres as a prelude to renewed American aggression against the Islamic RepublicSince Trumprsquos latest warnings Iranian authorities including senior military officials have issued strong cautions to Washington and its allies against any fresh miscalculation saying Iranrsquos level of military preparedness has now surpassed prewar levelsWith ANI inputs