US-Iran nuclear negotiations unexpectedly move to Oman.
Following tough statements and military pressure from Washington, the dialogue process between the US and Iran has taken a new turn with the negotiation location being changed from Türkiye to Oman, amid signals from Tehran indicating a willingness to make concessions.
According to diplomatic sources on February 3, the summit aimed at resolving Iran's nuclear program, scheduled for February 6, has been moved from Istanbul (Türkiye) to Oman. The Trump administration approved this request from Tehran to facilitate more substantive dialogue.
The choice of Oman – a country with a traditional and reputable role as a mediator in the region – is seen as a move to reduce media hype and focus on in-depth negotiation content.
A notable aspect of this round of negotiations is the direct involvement of highly influential figures. On the US side are Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, a senior advisor and son-in-law of President Donald Trump. On the Iranian side, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi leads the delegation.
In addition, stakeholders including the foreign ministers from Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and the UAE were also invited to attend in order to promote overall regional stability.
According to The Jerusalem Post, Iran has discreetly conveyed to mediators its willingness to discuss the nuclear issue in an open manner, even considering options for significant concessions to avoid a military conflict scenario.
"We agree with President Trump's statement that there should be no nuclear weapons. That is the foundation for a good deal," Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi said in a recent interview.
However, the difference in the "scope of negotiations" remains the biggest obstacle. Iran wants to limit the discussion solely to the nuclear issue and demands the lifting of economic sanctions. Meanwhile, the US insists on keeping ballistic missiles and the activities of proxy forces in the Middle East on the agenda.
Although financial markets reacted positively (crude oil prices rose slightly following expectations of easing tensions), Israeli officials and some American politicians remained skeptical. They believed the likelihood of reaching a comprehensive agreement immediately was very low.
As negotiations prepared to take place, the Pentagon maintained a strong military presence in the Gulf region with the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group.
