06.02.2026 14:33
U.S. and Iranian officials met in Muscat, the capital of Oman, for nuclear negotiations. The meeting, initially planned to be held in Turkey, was moved to Oman following Iran's objection. The first photos from the highly anticipated meeting have emerged.
Officials from the US and Iran met today in Muscat, the capital of Oman. Iran is represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi; the US is represented by President Donald Trump's Special Representative for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.
NEGOTIATIONS MOVED FROM TURKEY TO OMAN The meeting was initially planned to take place in Turkey, but due to Iran's objections, the negotiations were moved to Oman. If the talks were to be held in Turkey, participation from regional countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar was expected; however, due to Iran's position of limiting the discussions to the nuclear file, it was decided that the meeting would take place in Oman as a continuation of previous talks.
US WANTS TO ADDRESS MISSILE PROGRAM AS WELL The US side wants to address not only the nuclear file but also Iran's ballistic missile program, its relations with proxy forces in the Middle East, and the protests.
IRAN: MISSILE PROGRAM IS NOT OPEN FOR DISCUSSION Iran's Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Spokesman Ibrahim Rizaei stated that his country's missile program and (low-level) uranium enrichment activities are not open for negotiation.
In a statement to the country's media, Rizaei said that in the negotiations with the US to be held tomorrow in Oman, the missile program and (low-level) uranium enrichment issues are among Iran's "red lines." Rizaei stated, "Iran's red lines have not changed, and if the Americans want to participate in negotiations in the same previous manner and make demands such as zero enrichment, it should be said that the negotiations have already failed."
Trump's Special Representative for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner FIRST PHOTO FROM THE DELEGATIONS Witkoff and Kushner met with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi in Muscat, the capital of Oman, for negotiations.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi HERE ARE THE NAMES AT THE TABLE In the negotiations, the Iranian delegation is led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while the US is represented by President Donald Trump's Special Representative for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.
From Iran, Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Taht Ravanchi, Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs Hamid Kanberi, and Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ismail Bekayi are also present. On the US side, alongside Witkoff, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner is also present.
US-IRAN TENSION HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A MONTH The tension between the US and Iran has escalated following protests that have been ongoing in Iran for over a month, shifting the focus towards negotiations. President Trump frequently threatened the Iranian regime with attack during the protests that began on December 28, 2025. The US even moved its aircraft carrier and military presence to the region. After a resurgence of military tension earlier this month, both sides decided to negotiate.
IRAN AND THE US BACK AT THE NEGOTIATION TABLE AFTER 12 DAYS OF WAR Nuclear negotiations between Iran and the US resumed after a 12-day war. The diplomatic process, interrupted by Israeli and US attacks on Iran in June 2025, was revitalized through the efforts of regional countries, especially Turkey.
In the resumed negotiations, issues such as uranium enrichment and the removal of high-level enriched uranium from Iran continue to be the main points of disagreement between the parties. While Iran seeks the lifting of sanctions in exchange for keeping its nuclear program within limits that would prevent the production of atomic bombs, the US demands that Iran completely halt its uranium enrichment activities and remove high-level enriched uranium from Iran.
The US administration also wants to bring Iran's missile program and its support for armed groups in the region to the negotiation table. Iran has repeatedly stated that it will not negotiate on issues outside of its nuclear program.
TRUMP'S THREAT BEFORE THE CRITICAL SUMMIT President Donald Trump stated that Iran is negotiating with them because it does not want to be hit by the US.
In a speech at the National Prayer Breakfast traditionally held in Washington, President Trump made statements regarding Iran. Trump, who explained that they are strengthening the American military, cited military "operations" they conducted against Venezuela and Iran as examples. Trump said, "We are negotiating with Iran. They are negotiating because they do not want to be hit. They do not want us to hit them. We showed our bombers to Iran."