ISLAMABAD: Indirect talks between the United States (US) and Iran held in Muscat on Friday ended without breakthroughs but performed slightly better than many had expected, as both sides avoided public acrimony and agreed, in principle, to continue engagement.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the meeting as a “good start,” stressing the need to dismantle what he called a “wall of mistrust” between Tehran and Washington. However, any decision to move forward will require approval from leaderships in both capitals after reviewing the outcome of the talks.
Read More: Iran, US nuclear talks in Oman were a good start, FM Araghchi says
Mediator Badr al-Busaidi, Oman’s foreign minister, said the discussions were “very serious” and that the results would be carefully examined by both sides. The talks took place amid heightened tensions, underscored by Iran’s unveiling of the Khorramshahr-4 ballistic missile just hours before negotiations began — a move widely seen as a strategic signal.
#BREAKING@irinn reports that phase 1 of #Iran‘s talks with US in #Muscat has concluded “for now”.. and the delegations of the two countries will return to their capitals
Iran’s MFA spokesperson issued this communique.. https://t.co/sM8sl6r0Dh pic.twitter.com/vc79sHZgXZ— Sandeep Mukherjee (@Libertarian196) February 6, 2026
The dialogue was strictly indirect, with no face-to-face meetings between the delegations. Oman acted as the sole intermediary, shuttling messages throughout the day. Iran’s delegation was led by Araghchi and backed by officials linked to the Supreme National Security Council, indicating a limited but credible mandate. The US side was led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, joined by President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner, a move interpreted as an effort to reassure Tehran about Washington’s decision-making authority.
The presence of Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, highlighted Washington’s dual-track approach of diplomacy alongside military pressure.
While the talks prevented an immediate collapse that could have escalated regional tensions, cautious optimism was short-lived. Within hours, Washington announced fresh sanctions targeting Iranian oil-related entities, reinforcing Tehran’s view that negotiations remain intertwined with pressure.
Read More:Iran submits nuclear plan to US in Oman
Russia urged restraint, expressing hope the talks would lead to de-escalation. Meanwhile, the US issued a security alert urging its citizens to leave Iran, reflecting the fragile and volatile backdrop against which diplomacy is unfolding.