Overview
- Talks are confirmed for Friday in Muscat between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, with multiple reports saying Jared Kushner may attend.
- Tehran insists discussions be bilateral and confined to the nuclear file, while Washington seeks to add ballistic missiles, regional proxies and human-rights concerns, according to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
- President Donald Trump warned that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei "should be very worried" and the White House said the president has options beyond diplomacy if no deal emerges.
- Regional mediation helped rescue the meeting after a near breakdown over venue and format, with Arab and Gulf leaders urging Washington to proceed even as U.S. officials voiced skepticism about a breakthrough.
- Tensions remain high after the U.S. shot down an Iranian drone and reported IRGC boats threatened a U.S.-flagged tanker; Iran calls missiles a red line as state TV highlighted deployment of a Khorramshahr-4, and Reuters reported Iranian officials signaled limited flexibility on enrichment last week.