The confirmation comes after days of uncertainty, as reports suggested the negotiations were on the verge of collapse due to disagreements over the venue and format.

According to a US official speaking to Al Arabiya, the decision to keep the meeting alive was made to preserve the diplomatic channel. The official added that US allies had urged Washington to give diplomacy a fair chance rather than shutting the door too soon.

Earlier this week, American officials told the news website Axios that the talks appeared to be falling apart. Two US officials said Washington had informed Tehran that it rejected Iran’s last-minute demands to change both the location and the structure of the negotiations.

While the United States briefly considered Iran’s request to move the talks from Turkey to Oman, it ultimately decided on Wednesday to turn the proposal down. A senior US official said bluntly. ‘We made it clear either the talks happen under the agreed framework, or they don’t happen at all.

’ Iran’s response, he said, was equally firm, ‘Then they don’t happen.’

Despite the standoff, the official stressed that Washington remains ready to negotiate this week or next, as long as Iran returns to the originally agreed formula. He added that the US wants to reach a real and meaningful deal quickly, warning that otherwise other options would come into play a remark widely seen as a nod to President Donald Trump’s repeated military threats.

Initially, both sides had agreed to meet in Istanbul, with several Middle Eastern countries attending as observers. However, on Wednesday, Iran’s state media announced that the talks would instead take place in Muscat. The meeting will bring together Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff.

Iranian sources say the negotiations will follow the same framework as previous rounds, focusing strictly on the nuclear file and the lifting of sanctions. Issues such as Iran’s missile program and defense capabilities will not be discussed topics that remain high on the agenda for the US and some regional countries.

Once again, Tehran has voiced its preference for a diplomatic solution, while drawing a firm line against any talks beyond the nuclear issue. Iranian officials have flatly ruled out negotiations over missiles or military strength.

The renewed talks come at a tense moment, with President Trump openly warning of possible military action, and Iran responding that it would strike back forcefully if attacked. Against this backdrop, Friday’s meeting in Muscat is being closely watched as a fragile but important test of diplomacy.