• Iran rejects complete halt to uranium enrichment in indirect US talks, calling it a nonstarter.
  • Tehran expresses willingness to discuss enrichment levels, purity, or a regional consortium as alternatives.
  • Talks in Oman mark a "very good start" according to Iranian officials, with another round planned soon despite deep mutual mistrust.

A Delicate Diplomatic Opening

Iran has firmly ruled out halting uranium enrichment entirely but signaled openness to negotiating limits on its nuclear program, according to a regional diplomat briefed on the matter. The indirect talks between Iranian and US envoys, hosted separately by Oman's top diplomat in Muscat on February 6, 2026, represent a fragile attempt to de-escalate tensions that have simmered since US strikes on Iranian enrichment sites last year.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the discussions as a "very good start," despite acknowledging persistent mistrust between the sides. The talks, which involved US special envoy Steve Witkoff, are expected to continue with another round in the coming days, according to people familiar with the planning. Iran insists the dialogue focus solely on its nuclear program, rejecting US demands to include ballistic missiles or Tehran's regional allies—a stance that has complicated previous efforts.

Economic Pressures and Sanctions Relief

Behind the diplomatic maneuvering lies Iran's acute economic strain from sanctions, which have crippled banking, trade, and oil exports. Tehran demands tangible sanctions relief, including access to frozen US assets, before agreeing to any nuclear curbs. A US offer on the table includes aid for nuclear power reactors and limited enrichment pending the establishment of a regional facility, but Iran has balked at proposals to ship its 440kg of 60% enriched uranium—near weapons-grade—to a third country like Russia.

"Ending enrichment or exporting our stockpiles are nonstarters," an Iranian official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Mediators from Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar had proposed Iran halt enrichment for three years and limit missile use, but Tehran rejected those terms outright. The US, under the Trump administration with Secretary Marco Rubio, continues to push for full dismantlement or export of stockpiles, IAEA inspections, and Additional Protocol compliance, refusing to allow any enrichment—a position Iran views as untenable for its nuclear energy program.

Pragmatic Steps Amid Deep Divides

The talks follow a rejected June 2025 US proposal delivered via Oman, to which Iran offered a counterproposal. Venue logistics shifted from Turkey to Oman after Iran opposed broader regional involvement, highlighting the delicate balance of stakeholders. Iranian hardliners remain opposed to concessions, while US skeptics like Senator Chuck Schumer demand congressional oversight on any enrichment allowances.

Short-term, envoys are targeting a 60-day deal, though resistance over stockpiles and entrenched mistrust loom large. "Without a deal, the risk of renewed US military action is real," a Western diplomat noted, referencing Trump's past threats. Experts suggest pragmatic interim steps, such as a moratorium on new facilities, might be feasible, but the core rift over enrichment persists. Iran also calls for addressing Israel's nuclear arsenal, adding another layer of complexity to already fraught negotiations.

Efforts to restructure the diplomatic framework have hit a snag as Iran rejects ending enrichment, but the openness to discussing levels or a consortium offers a sliver of hope. The IAEA recently reported on Iran's pre-war stockpile, underscoring the urgency of the talks. As another round looms, the stakes couldn't be higher: failure risks escalating conflict, while success could pave the way for sanctions easing and economic revival.

Correction: An earlier version misstated the purity level of Iran's enriched uranium; it is 60%, not weapons-grade, though it is the highest level for a non-nuclear state per IAEA reports.