Officials from both sides confirmed the meeting, which will be hosted by Oman, a country that has frequently acted as a discreet mediator between Washington and Tehran. The talks come amid heightened regional tensions and renewed concerns over Iran’s nuclear activities.

However, expectations remain cautious. U.S. officials insist that any meaningful negotiations must address not only Iran’s nuclear programme but also its ballistic missile arsenal and broader regional activities. Iran has firmly rejected that position, saying discussions will be limited strictly to its nuclear file.

Iranian officials have described Washington’s broader demands as unacceptable, arguing that its missile programme is defensive in nature and non-negotiable. The U.S., meanwhile, has warned that progress will be limited unless Iran is willing to engage on issues it says threaten regional and global security.

The talks in Oman follow months of escalating rhetoric, sanctions pressure, and warnings of possible military consequences if diplomacy fails. Analysts say the meeting is unlikely to produce immediate breakthroughs but could help prevent further escalation and reopen channels of communication.

Whether the discussions lead to sustained negotiations will depend largely on whether both sides can bridge their differences over the agenda an issue that has derailed past diplomatic efforts.

Khamenei’s comments come in the wake of a 12-day joint U.S.-Israeli air campaign in June that targeted multiple Iranian nuclear sites, an operation the White House claims “significantly degraded” Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure. Iran, however, maintains that its nuclear program remains intact and continues to operate for civilian energy purposes.

“We will not be deceived by smiles after sabotage and aggression,” Khamenei said in a televised address. “America cannot destroy our resolve through bombs or false offers of diplomacy.”

Trump’s Push for New Dialogue

President Trump last week told Israel’s Knesset that it would be “great” if the United States could negotiate a peace deal with Tehran, following the recent ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.

The statement came amid reports of quiet diplomatic outreach from Washington, seeking to revive engagement with Iran after five rounds of failed indirect nuclear talks earlier this year.

“The door is open,” Trump said. “We want peace with Iran, and we think we can get there not with weakness, but with strength.”

Stalemate Over Enrichment

Western powers including the U.S., UK, France, and Germany continue to accuse Iran of pursuing a covert nuclear weapons program, citing uranium enrichment levels that far exceed the limits set under the defunct 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA).

Tehran has repeatedly denied any intention to develop a nuclear bomb, insisting that its enrichment activities are entirely for energy generation, medical use, and scientific research.

“We do not seek nuclear weapons they are against our religion and our national doctrine,” said Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

Context: Airstrikes and Ceasefire

The June air war, carried out by the U.S. and Israel, marked the most direct military confrontation with Iran in recent years. The strikes reportedly targeted uranium enrichment facilities and missile development sites across Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow.

Shortly after the air campaign ended, a ceasefire in Gaza was brokered between Israel and Hamas, raising hopes for a broader regional de-escalation. Trump’s overture to Iran is widely seen as part of a broader strategy to stabilize the Middle East.

utlook Uncertain

With Khamenei’s outright rejection and no formal talks on the horizon, prospects for a U.S.-Iran détente remain bleak. Analysts warn that continued Western pressure could push Tehran closer to its nuclear threshold, while further military strikes risk sparking direct conflict in the region.

The two countries previously engaged in five rounds of indirect nuclear talks, which collapsed following a 12-day air campaign in June during which U.S. and Israeli forces targeted Iranian nuclear sites.

“Trump says he is a dealmaker, but if a deal is accompanied by coercion and its outcome is predetermined, it is not a deal but rather an imposition and bullying,” Khamenei said according to state media.

Last week, Trump told the Israeli parliament that it would be great if Washington could negotiate a “peace deal” with Tehran, following the beginning of a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

“The U.S. president proudly says they bombed and destroyed Iran’s nuclear industry. Very well, keep dreaming!” Khamenei added.

“What does it have to do with America whether Iran has nuclear facilities or not? These interventions are inappropriate, wrong and coercive.”

Western governments have long accused Iran of secretly working to develop a nuclear weapon through uranium enrichment, though Tehran insists its nuclear program is solely for civilian energy purposes.

Earlier this year, the U.S. and Israel carried out airstrikes on Iran’s uranium-enrichment facilities, expressing concerns that Iran was nearing the capability to develop nuclear weapons. However, the international nuclear agency responsible for monitoring Iran’s nuclear activities has stated it has found no solid evidence of an organised weapons program.

That agency has raised concerns about Iran stockpiling roughly 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60%, which is close to the level typically considered weapons-grade at about 90%. This amount could potentially be enough for around 10 nuclear bombs if further enriched.

The attacks seriously damaged or destroyed Iran’s enrichment sites, but the fate of its enriched uranium stockpile remains uncertain, as inspectors have not been able to conduct verifications since the strikes.

In his address to the international body’s member states, Wright emphasised that the U.S. position is clear: Iran’s nuclear weapons pathway, including all uranium enrichment and plutonium reprocessing activities, must be fully dismantled.

Meanwhile, Britain, France, and Germany—known as the E3—have begun a month-long process to reinstate sanctions on Iran that were previously lifted under a 2015 nuclear agreement, which fell apart after the U.S. withdrew in 2018. The E3 have indicated they may pause this process if Iran allows full resumption of inspections, accounts for its enriched uranium stockpiles, and engages in direct nuclear negotiations with the U.S.

Last week, Iran agreed with the international nuclear agency on steps toward resuming inspections, though it remains uncertain whether this progress will satisfy the European countries.

Iran maintains that it has the right to enrich uranium, as permitted to all members of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), so long as it is for peaceful purposes, and denies any intention to develop nuclear weapons.

By contrast, Israel, which is not a party to the NPT, is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, though it neither confirms nor denies this.

Wright expressed hope that talks would resume and be successful, adding that the U.S. offers Iran the possibility of rejoining the global trading community through the lifting of sanctions. He described this as a significant benefit for the Iranian people and said there are additional incentives for Iran to abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions.

Talks between Iran and the U.S. were paused after a 12-day conflict in June, during which Israel and the U.S. targeted Iranian nuclear sites, and Iran responded with multiple ballistic missile attacks on Israel.

Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, expressed on social media: “We indeed pursue rational negotiations. By raising unrealisable issues such as missile restrictions, they set a path that negates any talks.”

Western nations worry that Iran’s uranium enrichment could produce material for nuclear weapons and that it may be developing missiles capable of delivering such warheads. Iran maintains its nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful purposes like electricity generation and insists it does not pursue missiles designed to carry nuclear arms. Furthermore, Tehran asserts its defense capabilities are non-negotiable in any nuclear discussions.

Larijani’s remarks came shortly after France, Germany, and Britain introduced a “snapback mechanism” to potentially reimpose U.N. sanctions on Iran over its nuclear activities. These European countries have called on Iran to return to talks with the U.S. and meet other conditions to delay the reimplementation of sanctions for up to six months.

The dialogue is centered on resolving a long-running disagreement over Iran’s nuclear program. Trump has warned of severe economic sanctions and potential military action if no new accord is reached.

Pezeshkian downplayed the risks of failed negotiations, saying, “We won’t starve if they refuse to negotiate or impose sanctions—we’ll find a way to get by,” according to state media.

The outcome of the discussions holds significant importance for both nations. The U.S. seeks to limit Iran’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon, fearing it could escalate tensions across the region and pose a threat to allies such as Israel. Iran insists its nuclear efforts are purely for civilian energy purposes and seeks relief from harsh sanctions that have battered its oil-driven economy.

Last week, representatives from both countries completed a fifth round of discussions in Rome. Although there were slight signs of progress, key differences remain—particularly around Iran’s uranium enrichment activities.

When asked about reports suggesting Iran might agree to a three-year freeze on enrichment to reach a deal, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei dismissed the idea, saying Iran would never accept such terms.

He also rejected the notion of a temporary or interim arrangement, countering speculation that a short-term compromise was under consideration.

Baghaei added that Iran is waiting to hear from Oman, a mediator in the talks, regarding the schedule for the next round of negotiations.

“If the U.S. shows genuine intention, we’re hopeful,” he said. “But if the goal is to limit Iran’s legitimate rights, the discussions won’t lead anywhere.”