Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Oman's capital, Muscat, early Friday, leading a delegation for nuclear talks with U.S. representatives later in the day, as the White House escalated pressure on Tehran ahead of the meeting.

Iranian media said the delegation includes Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi, and Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, along with other diplomats.

A member of the Iranian negotiating team said the talks would focus exclusively on the nuclear issue, dismissing speculation that other topics would be discussed.

In Washington, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner will attend the talks. While calling diplomacy Trump's "first option," Leavitt warned that Tehran should not ignore the "many options" available to Trump as commander-in-chief – remarks widely interpreted as a renewed hint at possible military action.

Leavitt also reiterated Trump's core position that Iran must achieve "zero nuclear capability," describing the Muscat meeting as a test of whether a deal is still possible. She said Washington would evaluate its next steps based on the outcome of the talks.

Venue dispute underscores deep mistrust

The talks were initially expected to take place in Istanbul, but Iran later proposed shifting the venue to Oman, a regional country it sees as more politically reliable. The change reportedly angered Washington, fueling speculation that the meeting could be canceled.

The uncertainty raised alarm across the Middle East, prompting regional countries to lobby the United States to proceed. Washington ultimately agreed to hold the talks in Muscat.

Israeli media reported Thursday night that several Arab and Islamic countries are also urging both sides to sign a non-aggression agreement during the Muscat meeting.

The Times of Israel, citing two Middle Eastern diplomats, reported that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan are expected to participate. The countries reportedly drafted a framework under which Iran and the United States would pledge not to attack each other.

The proposed agreement would also apply to both sides' regional allies, though analysts noted it would be difficult to secure Israel's participation.

Core disagreements remain unresolved

Iran and the United States held several rounds of indirect negotiations in 2025 under Omani mediation, but major disputes persisted.

Washington's demands have focused on three main areas: a complete halt to uranium enrichment, limits on Iran's ballistic missile range and an end to Iranian support for what the United States describes as regional proxy forces.

These issues were also central to the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. The Trump administration argued the agreement was not strict or comprehensive enough, as it imposed only time-limited constraints on Iran's nuclear activities and did not permanently prevent Tehran from pursuing nuclear weapons. The deal also did not address Iran's missile program or its regional influence – omissions Washington views as major security loopholes. Israel and several Gulf allies of the U.S. also criticized the accord, saying it didn't guarantee regional stability.

On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said any "meaningful" negotiations must also cover Iran's missile program, its regional influence and its domestic governance.

Iran has long denied seeking nuclear weapons, insisting its right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy is "inalienable." Tehran has also repeatedly said its missile program is part of its national defense and is not negotiable.

Experts said Washington's push for a "stricter and more comprehensive" agreement through maximum pressure underestimates Iran's strategic resilience and security concerns and could further destabilize the region.

Nuclear diplomacy was stalled after Israel launched a surprise strike on Iran last June, triggering a 12-day war. During the conflict, the United States bombed Iranian nuclear facilities.

Military posturing intensifies

The Muscat talks come as both sides ramp up military preparations.

The United States has expanded its military presence in the Middle East in recent weeks, deploying major naval and air assets, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided-missile destroyers. Iran has also increased its military readiness.

On Tuesday, U.S. Central Command said a U.S. F-35C shot down an Iranian Shahed-139 drone over the Arabian Sea in "self-defense." Iran rejected the claim, saying the drone had completed a surveillance mission in international waters.

On Wednesday, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps unveiled a new underground missile base, saying it had shifted its doctrine "from defensive to offensive" after last year's war with Israel and was prepared for any hostile action.

Trump also warned Wednesday that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei should be "very worried," as Washington continues building up forces in the region.

Read more: Timeline: Escalating U.S.-Iran tensions since 2015