Iran Dismisses Reports of Talks Outside Oman, Reaffirms Muscat as Sole Venue

Tehran, Feb 2026 : Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday rejected media reports suggesting that indirect talks between Tehran and Washington would be held outside Oman, firmly stating that Muscat has always been the agreed and exclusive venue for any such diplomatic engagement.

Speaking at a press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei clarified that there had never been any plan or discussion to conduct the talks in a location other than Oman. His remarks were aimed at countering what he described as inaccurate speculation circulating in some media outlets, according to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency.

Baqaei noted that Iran welcomes diplomatic initiatives by regional and neighboring countries that have expressed willingness to help reduce tensions and encourage dialogue. He said Tehran views such efforts as constructive, particularly at a time when regional stability and security remain fragile. However, he emphasized that while Iran appreciates mediation offers, the framework and venue of the talks have already been clearly defined.

The spokesperson added that Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has been in active contact with his counterparts across the region, as well as with other international actors concerned about peace and security in West Asia. These interactions, Baqaei said, have taken place “at the highest levels,” involving senior leadership, including Iran’s president and foreign minister. The objective of these engagements has been to ease tensions and support a credible diplomatic process.

Meanwhile, Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, arrived in Muscat on Tuesday, where he held talks with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi. According to Oman’s official news agency, the discussions focused on regional and international developments, with both sides underlining the importance of dialogue and cooperation in promoting regional security and stability.

Later in the day, Larijani issued a warning on social media platform X ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington. He cautioned that the United States should not allow Netanyahu, “through posturing,” to dictate the parameters of nuclear negotiations with Iran.

Israel has consistently argued that Iran cannot be trusted on the nuclear issue and has threatened unilateral action if US-Iran talks fail to align with its expectations. Before leaving for Washington, Netanyahu said Iran would be the “first and foremost” topic in his discussions with Trump, underscoring the continued sensitivity surrounding the issue.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)