US Agrees to Iran's Request to Move Nuclear Talks from Turkey to Oman

The United States has agreed to a request from Iran to relocate upcoming nuclear negotiations from Istanbul, Turkey, to Oman. The change in venue, reported by Axios’ Barak Ravid and citing Arab sources, comes as tensions remain high in the Middle East.

Shifting Locations and Scope

The negotiations are now expected to take place in Oman on Friday, February 6, 2026. Iran has also requested that the scope of the discussions be narrowed to focus solely on nuclear issues. A regional diplomat, as quoted in reports, stated that Iran “wants to change the format, they want to change the scope,” seeking a bilateral discussion with the U.S. Focused exclusively on its nuclear programme.

Did You Know? President Donald Trump previously warned that “bad things” could happen if an agreement is not reached, coinciding with a significant U.S. Military presence in the region.

This request contrasts with the U.S.’s desire to include other topics, such as Iran’s ballistic missile programme and its regional proxy activities, in the negotiations. The shift in location and scope initially raised doubts about whether the talks would proceed as planned.

Regional Context and Military Posturing

Iran’s request for a change in venue and focus comes amid increased regional tensions and a build-up of U.S. Military assets in the Middle East. Regional actors have been encouraging a resolution to the current impasse, which has fueled threats of military action and heightened concerns about a wider conflict. Negotiations regarding the potential inclusion of Arab and Muslim nations in the Oman talks are ongoing.

Expert Insight: The narrowing of the negotiation scope requested by Iran suggests a strategic attempt to prioritize its core concerns and potentially limit the leverage the U.S. Has in addressing other areas of contention. This could indicate a recalibration of Iran’s negotiating position in response to the evolving geopolitical landscape.

The U.S. Government, under President Donald Trump, ultimately approved Iran’s request to move the talks to Oman.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of the upcoming negotiations?

The primary focus, as requested by Iran, is to be solely on nuclear issues. Iran seeks a bilateral discussion with the U.S. Limited to this topic.

Where were the negotiations originally scheduled to take place?

The negotiations were originally scheduled to be held in Istanbul, Turkey.

What has been the U.S. Response to Iran’s request to narrow the scope of negotiations?

The U.S. Has expressed a desire to include topics beyond nuclear issues, such as Iran’s ballistic missile programme and regional proxy activities, but has agreed to the location change.

How might the shifting geopolitical landscape influence the outcome of these negotiations?

US Agrees to Iran’s Request to Move Nuclear Talks from Turkey to Oman