• Recent indirect talks held in Oman between Iran and the US aim to address nuclear issues amid rising military tensions.
• Iranian Foreign Minister stated that discussions were a "good start" but focused strictly on the nuclear programme.
• The US has increased its military presence in the region, potentially escalating the situation further.
• Iran maintains that its missile program is "never negotiable," limiting the scope of discussions.
• Both countries plan to continue negotiations, but mutual trust remains a significant barrier.

Oman recently facilitated indirect talks between Iranian and US officials in Muscat, focusing solely on Iran's nuclear program amid heightened tensions following recent military actions. Both sides engaged in discussions without meeting face-to-face, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi asserting that the talks represented a "good start" towards restoring diplomatic relations. The negotiations came in the wake of US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites and a brutal crackdown on protests within Iran, which has raised alarms about potential military confrontations, according to Indiatimes and South China Morning Post.

During the four-hour negotiations, Araghchi emphasized to Iranian state media that Iran remains firm on the discussions being confined to nuclear issues and warned against any US military threats that could jeopardize the talks. Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr al-Busaidi, confirmed that the discussions aimed to clarify both sides' positions and prepare for future negotiations, but details remained scarce, reflecting the ongoing mistrust between the nations, as reported by Al Jazeera and Le Monde.

The US delegation, which included Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, showed an unusual level of military representation with the participation of Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command. Despite the apparent cooperation among mediators, both parties left the discussions without a clear way forward. Trump’s administration recently imposed further sanctions on Iran's oil exports, exemplifying the complexities hindering progress in talks, as noted by Africa News and Middle East Eye.

While there is an agreement to continue future negotiations, Iran’s officials remain unwilling to discuss their missile program, labeling it a non-negotiable defense issue. Such a stance aligns with their broader strategy to limit conversations strictly to nuclear capabilities, which Iran insists is for peaceful purposes. The geopolitical climate, influenced by aggressive US tactics and regional instability, renders the next steps uncertain, as reflected by the commentary from various sources, including Anadolu Agency and Africa News.