Final preparations were underway for talks scheduled on Friday in Oman as tensions remain high, with the United States reinforcing its military presence in the Middle East, which Trump has described as a massive armada. Regional actors are trying to prevent the situation from escalating into a broader conflict.
Despite disagreements over the agenda, the talks are set to proceed, raising doubts about the chances of a deal. Trump has warned that Iran could face military strikes if negotiations fail.
The United States has previously said it wants discussions to cover Iran’s missile programme and other concerns, while Tehran has insisted the talks should focus solely on its disputed nuclear programme. It was not clear whether this issue had been resolved.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that diplomacy remains Trump’s preferred approach when dealing with both allies and adversaries. She reiterated that Trump has been clear in demanding zero nuclear capability from Iran.
Leavitt said the president wants to see whether a deal can be reached, but reminded Iran that Trump has several options beyond diplomacy as commander in chief of the world’s most powerful military.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi left for Oman on Thursday. His spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, said Iran would engage in talks with authority and aim for a fair, mutually acceptable and dignified agreement on the nuclear issue. He added that Tehran hoped the US would approach the process responsibly and seriously.
Araqchi is expected to meet in Muscat with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president’s adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Ahead of the talks, Iran’s state-run Press TV reported that the Khorramshahr 4, one of Iran’s most advanced long-range ballistic missiles, had been deployed at an underground Revolutionary Guards missile site. The missile reportedly has a range of 2,000 km and can carry a 1,500-kg warhead.
The United States has been pressing Iran to accept a significantly reduced missile range.
Trump’s warnings and Iran’s threats of retaliation have prompted regional governments to push for de-escalation. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said his government was working to prevent US-Iran tensions from triggering a new Middle East conflict.
Speaking to reporters after returning from Egypt, Erdogan said leadership-level talks between the US and Iran would be useful following lower-level nuclear negotiations in Oman.
Tensions increased this week amid uncertainty over the talks’ location and format, following Iran’s crackdown on street protests last month.
Asked whether Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei should be concerned, Trump told NBC News that he should be very worried.
US and Iranian officials later said the talks would take place in Muscat after initially agreeing on Istanbul.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said during a visit to the Gulf that serious concern had been expressed over the risk of escalation with Iran. He urged Tehran to end aggression and contribute to regional stability.
Gulf Arab states fear Iran may target US bases on their territory if Washington attacks Iran.
China said it supported Iran’s right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy and opposed the threat of force and sanctions.
Iran has maintained that the talks should focus only on its nuclear dispute with Western powers. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said discussions must also address Iran’s missile range, its support for armed groups in the region and its domestic policies. Iranian sources said Washington is seeking to limit Iran’s missile range to 500 km.
Iran’s influence in the region has weakened following Israeli attacks on its allied groups and the removal of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.
Iran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful, while the US and Israel accuse it of past efforts to develop nuclear weapons.
The United States has deployed thousands of additional troops, along with an aircraft carrier, warships, fighter jets, surveillance aircraft and refuelling planes to the Middle East.
Trump has warned that serious consequences are likely if an agreement is not reached.
