US and Iran to Discuss Diplomatic Options in Narrow Window

Iran to Pursue Talks with US Before Involving Regional Nations

Tehran, Iran - Iranian officials have confirmed that Oman will host the next round of talks between Iran and the United States, scheduled for later this week. The discussions are expected to focus on stabilizing the relationship before involving other regional nations.

According to an Iranian official, the initial talks format with the US is being prioritized over including other regional countries in the negotiations at this stage. This decision was made due to concerns that more players in the room could “risk turning the process into a political display instead of a focused negotiation”.

Regional mediators have expressed their views on the matter, stating that they see their role as potential guarantors of any future settlement. These countries have a direct strategic interest in containment, de-escalation, and preventing a spillover.

In recent days, Iran has intensified its diplomacy with regional nations, including meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The US President Donald Trump has also been involved in diplomatic efforts, stating that “Iran is talking to us, and we’ll see whether we can do something, otherwise we’ll see what happens”.

The talks are expected to focus on resolving core disputes between the two countries, including Iran’s ballistic missile programme and its regional deterrence. The US no longer appears interested in a deal that merely manages risk, while Iran does not want an agreement tied to a single presidency or vulnerable to reversal.

The outcome of these negotiations remains uncertain, with diplomacy moving forward and war being deferred for the time being. The success of the talks will depend on whether substance follows structure.

Source: Al Jazeera