IRIA News

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that indirect talks with the United States officials in Oman on February 6, 2026, were a “good start” that “can also have a good continuation.” The two sides have resumed nuclear diplomacy amid deep mistrust and regional tensions.

Speaking to Iranian state media after the talks in Muscat, Araghchi said the delegations would return to their capitals for consultations but had agreed to continue the process and reconvene at a later date.

Iranian state media reported the conclusion of the latest round, describing it as the beginning of a renewed diplomatic track following months of conflict and escalating rhetoric.

Araghchi described the discussions as a “good start and can have a good continuation,” but stressed that progress would depend on decisions made in Tehran and Washington. He said a “significant challenge” remains, particularly the deep distrust between the two sides after months of conflict and political tension.

“The deep distrust that has accumulated during this period, adding to previous distrust, presents a major challenge for the negotiations. First, we must overcome this atmosphere of distrust and then design the framework for a new dialogue that can, in principle, secure the interests of the Iranian people,” he said.

According to Iranian officials, the talks were focused exclusively on nuclear issues, though U.S. officials had previously indicated they also wanted to address Iran’s ballistic missile program and its support for regional armed groups. The gap in priorities underscores the complexity of any potential agreement.

“We did note that nuclear talks and the resolution of the main issues must take place in a calm atmosphere, without tension and without threats,” he said. “The prerequisite for any dialogue is refraining from threats and pressure.”

Araghchi said both sides are now at a stage where a new round of dialogue can begin after months of turbulence that included conflict and heightened military tensions. He added that future sessions in Muscat would aim to establish an agreed framework for negotiations and determine which issues will be formally on the table.

“If this same approach and perspective are maintained by the other side, we can reach an agreed framework in future sessions for these talks and the issues being discussed. However, I do not want to judge prematurely,” he said.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei confirmed on social media that the parties agreed to continue talks and would decide on the next round in consultation with their respective capitals.

The meeting was originally scheduled to take place in Turkey, with the foreign ministers of Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia expected to attend. However, Iran insisted on relocating the venue to Muscat and excluding representatives from those countries.

Mediation and Regional Tensions

The talks were mediated by Oman’s foreign minister, Badr Albusaidi, who said the discussions were “useful to clarify both Iranian and American thinking and identify areas for possible progress.” Oman has long served as an intermediary between Washington and Tehran during periods of diplomatic strain.

The Iranian delegation was led by Araghchi, while the U.S. side included special envoy Steve Witkoff. The meeting marked one of the first high-level contacts between U.S. and Iranian officials in months, following a period of heightened tensions that raised fears of direct conflict.

The participation of U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, underscored Washington’s military footprint in the region. His appearance in dress uniform at the Muscat talks coincided with the deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and other U.S. warships off Iran’s coast in the Arabian Sea.

Very serious talks mediating between Iran and the US in Muscat today.
It was useful to clarify both Iranian and American thinking and identify areas for possible progress. We aim to reconvene in due course, with the results to be considered carefully in Tehran and Washington. pic.twitter.com/OWctzf2CXA

— Badr Albusaidi – بدر البوسعيدي (@badralbusaidi) February 6, 2026

The diplomatic push comes against a backdrop of significant U.S. military deployments in the Middle East and repeated warnings from Washington that military action remains an option if negotiations fail. President Donald Trump has previously threatened to strike Iran if no agreement is reached, while Iran has warned it would retaliate against U.S. and allied assets in the region in the event of an attack.

Despite the renewed dialogue, major differences remain. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and has signaled openness to limited concessions, including technical arrangements involving uranium enrichment. However, Iranian officials have rejected demands to curb their missile program or end support for allied armed groups across the region, describing such conditions as violations of sovereignty.

Tehran is also expected to prioritize the lifting of U.S. sanctions that have heavily impacted its economy. U.S. officials, meanwhile, have indicated that any meaningful deal would likely need to address issues beyond the nuclear file.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier this week that negotiations would need to go further than nuclear limits to produce “something meaningful,” though he acknowledged uncertainty about whether a deal is achievable. “I’m not sure you can reach a deal with these guys, but we’re going to try to find out,” he said.

U.S. President Trump said on Friday that talks between the U.S. and Iran went well and would continue early next week, and that the administration was in “no rush” to make a deal with Iran.

Iran wants “to make a deal, as they should want to make a deal,” Trump said, speaking to reporters on Air Force One as he headed to Palm Beach, Florida. He kept up the pressure, warning that the “consequences would be steep” if the country did not reach an agreement over its nuclear program.

Uncertain Path to Sustained Dialogue

For both sides, the renewed talks offer a potential off-ramp from escalating tensions that have alarmed regional governments and raised concerns about a broader conflict. Analysts say the outcome will depend on whether negotiators can rebuild trust and agree on a framework for sustained dialogue.

Araghchi said overcoming distrust remains the immediate priority before any substantive progress can be made. “First, we must overcome this atmosphere of distrust and then design the framework for a new dialogue,” he said.

While officials on both sides signaled willingness to continue discussions, there has been no immediate U.S. statement on the outcome of Friday’s talks. Further meetings in Oman are expected, though the timing and scope of future negotiations remain uncertain.