Iran’s foreign minister left for Muscat on Thursday at the head of a diplomatic delegation as U.S. and Iranian negotiators prepared for face-to-face nuclear talks in Oman set to begin Friday. The talks arrive after days of uncertainty over the venue and the scope of discussions, and follow heightened regional tensions that have underscored the stakes. Iranian officials had pressed for Oman rather than Turkey and for an initial focus limited to nuclear issues, seeking to keep ballistic missiles and regional proxies off the opening agenda. The talks nearly collapsed in the hours before Tehran’s departure as negotiators haggled over format. U.S. and Iranian officials declined public comment on final participant lists and the detailed agenda as delegations moved into Muscat.

Source: The Hindu February 05, 2026 21:00 UTC