USS Abraham Lincoln. U.S. Navy
An Iranian diplomatic source told Reuters that the “presence of CENTCOM (U.S. Central Command) or any regional military officials” in the talks would jeopardise the process.
The warning came as Iran and the United States began high-stakes discussions aimed at reviving diplomacy over Tehran’s nuclear programme, following months of escalating military and political tensions between the two adversaries.
While both sides have signalled readiness to engage, they remain sharply divided over the scope of the talks. Washington wants negotiations to expand beyond the nuclear file to include Iran’s ballistic missile programme, and its support for armed groups across the region, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said this week.
Tehran has rejected any widening of the agenda, insisting that discussions be limited strictly to nuclear issues. Iran has said it wants Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to conduct the talks through Omani mediation.
Iranian News Agency said Araghchi met for the second time with his Omani counterpart as part of the negotiations with Washington.
On Thursday, diplomatic sources said the talks were expected to be held face-to-face, but by Friday the pre-discussions appeared to remain indirect, conducted through Omani mediators.
In a message published on his X account on Friday, Araqchi said that Tehran’s approach to diplomacy is shaped by both openness and caution.
“Iran enters diplomacy with open eyes and a steady memory of the past year. We engage in good faith and stand firm on our rights,” Araqchi stated.
“Commitments need to be honored. Equal standing, mutual respect and mutual interest are not rhetoric—they are a must and the pillars of a durable agreement,” the Iranian foreign minister underlined.
An Iranian official said Iran’s demands had already been conveyed to Washington via Oman, adding that indirect negotiations were under way following meetings between Americans and Omani officials.
Tensions remain high as the talks unfold against the backdrop of a recent US naval buildup near Iran, which Donald Trump has described as a massive “armada.”
He has warned that “bad things” would probably happen if a deal could not be reached.
World powers and regional states fear a breakdown in the negotiations would lead to another conflict between the United States and Iran which could spill over to the rest of the region.
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