Oman mediates Iran-US nuclear talks amid tensions and Trump’s threats

Oman mediated indirect talks on Friday between Iran and the United States over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme, seeking to de-escalate tensions between the nations after Washington bombed Iranian nuclear sites and Tehran launched a bloody crackdown on nationwide protests.

Oman issued a public statement acknowledging the talks after Iranian and American officials separately visited a palace on the outskirts of Muscat to speak to the sultanate’s foreign minister, Badr al-Busaidi.

Iranian state TV reported in late afternoon that the talks in Muscat had ended.

The two countries returned on Friday to Oman, a sultanate on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, months after rounds of meetings turned to ash following Israel’s launch of a 12-day war against Iran back in June. The US bombed Iranian nuclear sites during that war, likely destroying many of the centrifuges that spun uranium to near weapons-grade purity. Israel’s attacks devastated Iran’s air defences and targeted its ballistic missile arsenal as well.

US officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio believe Iran’s theocracy is now at its weakest point since its 1979 Islamic Revolution after nationwide protests last month represented the greatest challenge to 86-year-old Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s rule. Khamenei’s forces responded with a crackdown that killed thousands and reportedly saw tens of thousands arrested – and spurred new military threats by US President Donald Trump to target the country.

With the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and other warships in the region, along with more fighter jets, the US now likely has the military firepower to launch an attack if it wanted. But whether attacks could be enough to force Iran to change its ways – or potentially topple its government – remains far from a sure thing.