Iran's FM Labels Oman-Hosted US Talks Constructive Beginning to Engagement

Tehran (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) February 06, 2026 - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described recent talks with US officials in Oman as a "good beginning." The two-day negotiations concluded February 4 focusing on nuclear programme limits and regional de-escalation measures. Araghchi confirmed both sides agreed to continue discussions through appointed envoys.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke to state media IRNA upon returning to Tehran from Muscat on Friday morning. Araghchi led the Iranian delegation meeting US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi at the Diwan of Royal Court. Discussions marked first direct contact since President Donald Trump's January 2025 inauguration.

Omani state television broadcast images of the three delegations during opening session February 3. Araghchi characterised atmosphere as "businesslike and pragmatic" with agreement on technical working groups.

Details of Muscat Negotiations Agenda and Outcomes

Talks addressed JCPOA revival parameters including uranium enrichment caps at 3.67 percent and IAEA monitoring protocols. US presented roadmap reducing sanctions on oil exports in exchange for verifiable stockpile limits. Iran proposed phased centrifuge deactivation at Natanz and Fordow facilities.

Omani mediators facilitated exchange of working papers on ballistic missile range restrictions and regional security guarantees. Both delegations initialled memorandum establishing monthly envoy meetings in Vienna starting February 20. Araghchi confirmed humanitarian channels for medicine and food imports operationalised immediately.

No final agreement reached but technical experts scheduled Fordow verification visit March 1. US confirmed $6 billion Iranian oil revenue access through escrow accounts in Seoul and Zurich.

Araghchi's Statements to Iranian State Media

Araghchi told IRNA:

"Muscat talks represent good beginning toward mutual respect framework. United States demonstrated seriousness through concrete proposals."

He detailed Iranian counter-proposals including complete sanctions lift verification prior to full compliance.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed February 5 continuation depends on "good faith implementation" of preliminary understandings. Supreme National Security Council endorsed Araghchi's report during Friday session chaired by President Masoud Pezeshkian.

President Pezeshkian praised diplomatic approach during televised address, noting $4 billion economic benefit from resumed petrochemical exports.

US Official Position and Witkoff's Role

US Special Presidential Envoy for Iran Steve Witkoff briefed Secretary of State Marco Rubio upon return to Washington. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed "productive exchange establishing parameters for future negotiations." Witkoff, appointed January 15, conducted 14 hours closed-door sessions across two days.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated President Trump prioritises diplomatic resolution preventing nuclear weapon acquisition. National Security Council confirmed Oman channel predates Trump administration, utilised since 2013.

Omani Mediation Framework and Venue Selection

Oman hosted ninth round of indirect US-Iran contacts since 2021 Vienna stalemate. Muscat's Diwan complex provided secure facilities with separate delegation entrances maintaining protocol separation. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi chaired opening and closing plenaries.

Sultan Haitham bin Tariq received both delegations February 3 at Al Alam Palace. Oman committed $100 million toward JCPOA compliance verification fund administered through Muscat clearing house.

Historical Context of US-Iran Oman Channel

Oman facilitated 2013 secret talks leading to JCPOA framework. 2022 five rounds yielded prisoner exchange of 5 Americans for $6 billion Iranian funds. January 2024 indirect discussions established humanitarian trade corridor.

Muscat channel survived multiple US administration changes maintaining continuity. Qatari parallel track dormant since Doha round collapsed June 2023.

Technical Working Groups and Timelines Established

Nuclear subgroup targets February 28 IAEA inspection protocol agreement. Sanctions team schedules New York meetings March 5. Regional security experts convene Baghdad March 10 addressing Yemen ceasefire extension.

Enrichment monitoring proposes 24/7 camera access Fordow cascades and daily stockpile reports. US offers Airbus deliveries resumption for verifiable compliance milestones.

European Union and P5+1 Coordination

EU High Representative Kaja Kallas welcomed development during Munich Security Conference remarks. E3 (France, Germany, UK) ambassadors met Araghchi January 30 confirming coordinated approach. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi scheduled Tehran visit February 15.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed London's full support during Oman follow-up call. France committed €50 million toward verification technologies.

IAEA Current Assessment of Iranian Nuclear Programme

IAEA February 2026 report confirms 5,500kg enriched uranium stockpile with 928kg at 60 percent purity. Natanz pilot cascade produces 166kg monthly near weapons-grade threshold. Fordow deep-underground facility houses 2,400 advanced IR-6 centrifuges.

Agency verifies no diversion to military programmes but reports restricted access 17 sites since 2021. Grossi confirmed daily satellite monitoring supplements ground inspections.

Economic Impact Projections from Sanctions Relief

Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad forecasts $45 billion annual revenue at 2.2 million bpd export capacity. Paris-listed TotalEnergies confirmed phase 2 South Pars investment plans. Turkish BOTAS signed 25-year 16 bcm gas import agreement January 30.

Tehran Stock Exchange TEDPIX gained 3.8 percent Friday reflecting market optimism. Rial appreciated 4.2 percent against dollar on Mashhad free market.

Domestic Reactions Within Iran

Assembly of Experts Chairman Ahmad Khatami praised Araghchi during Qom sermon. IRGC Aerospace Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh confirmed missile programme transparency commitments. Bazaar Association announced price stabilisation measures.

Reformist Shargh newspaper editorial welcomed pragmatism. Conservative Kayhan maintained "maximum pressure met maximum resistance" narrative.

Regional Arab State Positions

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan welcomed de-escalation during Munich talks. UAE confirmed Abraham Accords economic committee resumption. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi hosted Araghchi February 7.

Egypt expressed support through Cairo embassy channels. Bahrain parliament passed resolution endorsing diplomatic engagement.

Congressional and US Domestic Reactions

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch scheduled Witkoff briefing February 9. House Foreign Affairs Committee secured Oman channel briefings under closed session. AIPAC praised Trump administration verification safeguards.

Progressive Caucus members urged human rights benchmarks including women's rights protections.

Next Steps in Diplomatic Process

Envoy-level preparatory meetings confirmed Vienna February 20-22. P5+1 political directors convene Brussels February 25. Araghchi-Witkoff sideline meeting scheduled G20 Foreign Ministers meeting February 22.

IAEA Board of Governors receives Muscat readout March 3. UN Security Council Snapback mechanism expires October 2026 requiring new resolution.

Sanctions Relief Implementation Mechanisms

US Treasury confirmed $10 billion energy sector general license issuance pending compliance verification. INSTEX successor mechanism operationalised through Omani clearing. SWIFT reconnection roadmap presented covering 200 Iranian banks.

OFAC published compliance checklist including third-party audit requirements. European banks facilitated rial clearing through Frankfurt hub.

Broader Middle East De-escalation Context

Talks coincide with Yemen Houthi ceasefire extension through March 31. Baghdad security understandings renewed covering militia stand-down zones. Syria stabilisation conference February 8 invites Iranian participation.

Gulf Cooperation Council committed $5 billion reconstruction assistance package.