Thursday, February 5, 2026-Nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran have been revived after regional Arab and Muslim leaders pressed the White House not to cancel the planned talks, averting a diplomatic collapse that had raised fears of confrontation.
What had been scheduled as a meeting in Istanbul was at risk of being scrapped because of disagreements over format and agenda, but intense lobbying by at least nine Middle Eastern countries persuaded U.S. officials to proceed with the discussions in Muscat, Oman, this Friday. The shift underscores the deep regional concern over escalating tensions and the shared preference among Gulf states for diplomacy over military escalation.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the talks’ new location and affirmed that bilateral nuclear discussions, focusing strictly on Iran’s nuclear program, are now set to go ahead with Washington’s participation. U.S. representatives, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior advisors, are expected to engage with their Iranian counterparts amid heightened diplomatic maneuvering. Arab leaders repeatedly urged Washington to maintain the engagement to curb rising regional instability and avert the potential fallout of a breakdown in dialogue.
The negotiations are unfolding at a moment of acute tension, with U.S. military assets deployed in the Middle East and both Tehran and Washington trading warnings over potential threats. Although significant disagreements persist — particularly over whether discussions should include issues beyond nuclear activity, such as ballistic missiles — both sides appear willing to test whether diplomacy can prevent a broader crisis. The talks’ continuation, driven in part by regional pressure, reflects a shared urgency among U.S. allies to prevent conflict and maintain a diplomatic channel open between these longtime adversaries.
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