The White House has said President Donald Trump prefers diplomacy in dealing with Iran and is willing to wait to see whether a deal can be achieved at high-stakes talks in Oman, while cautioning that military options remain on the table if negotiations fail.
Read More: Iran signals dialogue as Trump warns of consequences
Final prepara tions were under way on Thursday for the talks scheduled for Friday in Muscat, against the backdrop of rising regional tensions and a significant US military buildup in the Middle East. Trump has described the deployment as a massive “armada” and has warned that Washington could carry out strikes if no agreement is reached.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump’s first instinct is always diplomacy, whether engaging with allies or adversaries. However, she reiterated that the president has been clear in demanding “zero nuclear capability” from Iran and retains other options as commander in chief.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Feb. 5, 2026 https://t.co/GOQwzcxyA2
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 5, 2026
The talks are proceeding despite differences over their scope. Washington has previously sought to broaden discussions to include Iran’s ballistic missile program and regional activities, while Tehran has insisted negotiations focus solely on its nuclear program. It remains unclear whether this disagreement has been resolved.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi arrived in Oman on Thursday, with Tehran saying it would engage seriously to reach a fair and mutually acceptable understanding. Araqchi is expected to meet US special envoy Steve Witkoff, while reports also suggest Jared Kushner may be involved in the discussions.
Iranian Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araqchi, has arrived in Muscat, the capital of Oman, to participate in a new round of nuclear negotiations with the United States delegation.
According to a statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the indirect talks between Iran and the… pic.twitter.com/ORA0i1a2OJ
— RTA English (@rtaenglish1) February 6, 2026
Tensions escalated further after Iranian state media reported the deployment of the Khorramshahr-4 long-range ballistic missile at an underground Revolutionary Guards site, underscoring Iran’s military capabilities.
Read More: Trump plans talks amid rising Iran tensions
Regional and global powers have urged restraint. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara was working to prevent escalation, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned of serious risks to regional stability. China reiterated its opposition to the use of force and sanctions, supporting Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy.
Trump has warned that “bad things” could happen if diplomacy fails, highlighting the high stakes surrounding the Oman talks.