Iran Evaluates US Commitment in Nuclear Negotiation Talks

Iran's Foreign Ministry has indicated that recent nuclear negotiations with the United States allowed Tehran to assess Washington’s commitment to diplomacy. The discussions, facilitated by Omani mediators, took place last week in Oman as both nations seek to revive dialogue amidst rising tensions in the Middle East. Esmaeil Baghaei, a spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, stated on 10 February 2026 that the meeting was brief but significant, focusing on evaluating the seriousness of the United States in re-engaging with Iranian officials. “The Muscat meeting was not a long meeting. In our view, it was to gauge the seriousness of the other side and how to continue this path,” he remarked. Following the meeting, Baghaei expressed optimism about the potential for continued diplomatic efforts, noting that there appeared to be a shared understanding and consensus towards further discussions.

The talks follow increasing military activity in the region from the United States, with President Donald Trump having deployed naval forces, raising concerns about a possible military confrontation. Ali Larijani, an advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, travelled to Oman on the same day to discuss the implications of the recent negotiations. Larijani met with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said of Oman to explore avenues for future communications and agreements. The discussions reportedly centred around achieving a fair and balanced resolution to the ongoing nuclear issues between Iran and the US.

Iran's state news agency, IRNA, mentioned that Larijani’s agenda included meetings with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who has played a pivotal role in mediating between the two nations. Concurrently, there are ongoing discussions regarding the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s forthcoming visit to Washington. Baghaei warned that the US should remain independent from external pressures, particularly from Israel, which he claimed often disrupts the interests of the region.

Baghaei insisted that the United States must act free from what he described as “destructive pressures” that might compromise both regional security and American interests. He also highlighted that the Muscat meeting was not expected to yield immediate comprehensive agreements, especially following the breakdown of previous negotiations last year. The focus remains on understanding core positions and common principles related to Iran’s nuclear policy.

During this ongoing diplomatic effort, Tehran has indicated a willingness to negotiate. Iranian officials have suggested that they would consider measures such as diluting their stockpile of highly enriched uranium, contingent upon the lifting of US sanctions, highlighting a potential area of compromise.

Despite ongoing complexities, Iran continues to assert its right to enrich uranium, which it insists is aimed solely at peaceful purposes.

As the situation evolves, both sides have expressed varying levels of commitment to continue discussions, but no date has been set for the next round of negotiations. The dialogue represents a critical juncture towards potentially solving a long-standing conflict over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which have sparked widespread international concern.