Why It Matters
Reviving stalled nuclear talks could reshape non‑proliferation dynamics and regional stability, while the U.S. military presence signals heightened strategic stakes.
Key Takeaways
- •Indirect US‑Iran nuclear talks held in Muscat, Oman.
- •US Central Command head Admiral Brad Cooper attended negotiations.
- •Iran moved venue, excluded Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi reps.
- •Both sides called start “good,” but mistrust remains high.
- •No substantive progress; next steps to be discussed in capitals.
Pulse Analysis
The Muscat talks represent a tentative step toward re‑engaging the nuclear dialogue that collapsed after the 2025 U.S. strikes on Iranian facilities. After more than a year of silence, both Washington and Tehran opted for an indirect format to test whether confidence‑building measures could be re‑established. The choice of Oman—a neutral venue with a history of mediating regional disputes—reflects a pragmatic attempt to lower the diplomatic temperature while keeping the core issue of Iran’s enrichment program on the table.
Admiral Brad Cooper’s presence on the U.S. side signals an unprecedented blend of diplomatic and military signaling. By placing the head of U.S. Central Command at the negotiating table, Washington conveyed that any breakthrough must be underpinned by credible security guarantees. This move also serves as a reminder to regional actors that the United States remains prepared to project power if the talks falter, potentially influencing Tehran’s calculus and the broader strategic balance in the Middle East.
Nevertheless, the talks stalled amid entrenched mistrust and the exclusion of key regional stakeholders. Iran’s insistence on a Muscat venue and the sidelining of Turkey, Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia limit the multilateral pressure that could compel concessions. For the nuclear non‑proliferation regime, the lack of tangible progress raises concerns about a renewed arms race and market volatility in energy commodities. Analysts suggest that without a calm atmosphere and reciprocal restraint, the next round of negotiations in Washington and Tehran may repeat the current impasse, keeping the region on edge and investors wary.
U.S.-Iran Talks Make Little Headway
The top U.S. military commander in the Middle East joined the negotiations for the first time.
By Alexandra Sharp – World Brief writer at Foreign Policy
February 6, 2026, 5:01 PM
An illustration of Alexandra Sharp, World Brief newsletter writer
Jared Kushner looks on as U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff shakes hands with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al‑Busaidi.
U.S. and Iranian officials held indirect talks in Muscat, Oman, on Friday—signaling the potential restart of nuclear negotiations amid rising tensions between the adversaries. The meeting marked the two sides’ first formal diplomatic discussions since President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025 during the 12‑day Israel‑Iran war.
The talks were originally planned to be held in Turkey, with foreign ministers from Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia also set to attend. Iran successfully pushed to move the venue to Muscat and to exclude representatives from those other countries. Axios reported that, according to two unnamed sources, U.S. and Iranian officials met directly during the talks. The White House and State Department did not immediately respond to Foreign Policy’s requests for comment.
Talks are off to a “good start,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday, adding that consultations regarding next steps must now be held in Washington and Tehran. However, Araghchi also warned that “mistrust” between the two countries is posing a “serious challenge” to negotiations.
“We did note that nuclear talks and the resolution of the main issues must take place in a calm atmosphere, without tension and without threats,” he said. “The prerequisite for any dialogue is refraining from threats and pressure.”
Restraint may be difficult to come by. For the first time, the United States brought its top military commander in the Middle East to the negotiating table. The participation of U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, served as a stark reminder of Washington’s military presence in the region.
Read more in today’s World Brief: U.S.-Iran Indirect Nuclear Talks Fail to Make Significant Progress
Alexandra Sharp is the World Brief writer at Foreign Policy.
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