Strategic Shift: US Reportedly Agrees to Iran’s Bid for Bilateral Nuclear Talks in Oman
Washington has reportedly agreed to Tehran’s request to alter the venue and format of upcoming nuclear talks, initially scheduled for Friday, according to claims made by the news website Axios. The development, citing informed sources, suggests a significant adjustment in the diplomatic approach towards resolving nuclear-related concerns.
### Iran’s Strategic Proposal for Talks
Axios reported that Tehran had sought to relocate the discussions from Istanbul to Oman and favored a bilateral format, engaging solely with the United States. This proposed format would exclude several Arab nations that had been expected to participate as observers. A source familiar with the matter claimed that Iran’s rationale for these requests was to focus the dialogue exclusively on nuclear issues, thereby avoiding discussions on regional matters such as missile programs or “resistance groups,” which are priorities for other countries in the region.
Hours after Axios’s initial report, an Arab source further affirmed that talks were indeed expected to take place in Oman on Friday, indicating that the administration of President Donald Trump had acceded to Iran’s request. However, discussions were reportedly still ongoing regarding the potential participation of other regional countries in the Oman-hosted talks.
### Official Confirmations and Diplomatic Preparations
Following the Axios report, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson addressed the ongoing coordination for talks between Tehran and Washington, referencing directives from President Masoud Pezeshkian. The spokesperson stated that planning for the discussions in the coming days was underway, and consultations to finalize the venue were ongoing, with an official announcement to follow upon conclusion.
Esmaeil Baghaei, speaking to IRNA, expressed gratitude to friendly nations that had demonstrated goodwill in facilitating a diplomatic process. He emphasized that the location and timing of the talks were not complex issues and should not be used for media speculation. Baghaei noted that Turkey, Oman, and several other regional countries had offered to host the discussions, an offer Tehran greatly valued.
Concurrently, the White House spokesperson, Caroline Leavitt, confirmed that discussions with Iran were still set to proceed later this week. Leavitt indicated that Special Representative Steve Witkoff was engaged, and the talks remained “on track.”
### A Path Forward for Diplomacy
The Trump administration spokesperson reiterated that President Trump consistently prefers to pursue diplomatic avenues first, underscoring that such a path necessitates action from both sides. For diplomacy to succeed, the spokesperson added, a willing and prepared partner is essential – a role that Witkoff is “determined to explore and discuss.” This convergence of statements from both sides signals a mutual readiness to engage in dialogue, even as the specific modalities continue to be coordinated.
