Iran says talks with US back on track; to be held in Oman on Friday

• Talks Rescued and Relocated: After nearly collapsing over a venue and agenda dispute, the US-Iran nuclear negotiations have been salvaged by the mediation of nine Arab nations and will now take place this Friday at 10:00 AM in Muscat, Oman, instead of Istanbul.
• Narrowed Focus: Despite US skepticism and prior demands for a broader agenda, the Trump administration agreed to Iran’s insistence on a strictly bilateral nuclear format, sidelining discussions on ballistic missiles and regional proxies to prevent a pivot toward military action.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that nuclear negotiations with the United States were scheduled for Friday in Oman, despite an Axios report that the talks were falling apart.

"Nuclear talks with the United States are scheduled to be held in Muscat on about 10 am Friday," said Araghchi in an X post on Wednesday, thanking Oman "for making all the necessary arrangements".

The United States confirmed it will hold nuclear talks with Iran on Friday in Oman, a White House official told AFP.

Negotiations back

After a brief standoff that nearly derailed negotiations, US-Iran nuclear will resume following intense lobbying by Arab leaders to prevent cancellation, said an Axios report citing senior US officials.

The discussions were initially planned for Istanbul addressing broader issues like Iran's missile program and human rights, but were shifted to a bilateral format focused solely on nuclear matters at Iran's insistence.

US officials initially rejected the change, with a senior official stating on Friday, "We told them it is this or nothing, and they said, 'Ok, then nothing.'"

The reversal came after at least nine Middle Eastern countries urged the White House to proceed, fearing a pivot to military action under President Trump.

"They asked us to keep the meeting and listen to what the Iranians have to say," one US official said, adding that the administration agreed "to be respectful" to regional allies and pursue diplomacy, though remaining "very skeptical."

White House envoy Steve Witkoff, who met with ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to coordinate positions, and senior adviser Jared Kushner are expected to travel to Qatar Thursday before heading to Oman, the report added.