United States and Iranian officials concluded two rounds of indirect talks in Oman on Friday, marking a tentative restart to discussions over Tehran's nuclear program. For the first time, the United States included its top military commander in the region at the negotiating table, underscoring heightened tensions as American warships remain stationed off Iran's coast. While both sides indicated further talks are expected in the coming days, Iranian officials emphasized that progress depends on a calm atmosphere free from threats or pressure.

The talks focused primarily on establishing a framework for future negotiations, with Iran insisting that only its nuclear program be discussed, rejecting broader topics such as ballistic missiles or domestic unrest. Shortly after the talks, the United States announced new sanctions targeting Iranian oil exports, though it was unclear if this was directly linked to the outcome of the negotiations. Regional tensions remain high, with neighboring countries wary of escalation and threats of retaliation exchanged between Iran and Israel. Oman, acting as host, described the discussions as useful for clarifying positions but not yet a step toward a comprehensive agreement.