Iran has dispatched a senior security official to Oman as diplomatic efforts continue between Tehran and Washington over Iran’s nuclear program, with Oman acting as a mediator.
Ali Larijani, a former speaker of Iran’s parliament and now secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, traveled to Muscat on Tuesday. According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, Larijani is expected to meet Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq as part of ongoing indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States.
Oman has emerged as a key intermediary following renewed nuclear discussions held last week in Muscat. These talks are aimed at reducing tensions and preventing potential military escalation, as the United States continues to apply pressure on Tehran over its nuclear activities.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently reiterated that Tehran insists on maintaining its right to enrich uranium — a central point of disagreement with Washington. The dispute intensified after US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities during the recent Iran-Israel conflict, which disrupted earlier diplomatic efforts.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to visit Washington this week, where Iran’s nuclear program is likely to dominate discussions with US President Donald Trump.
The United States has also reinforced its military presence in the Middle East, deploying the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln along with warships and aircraft. US officials say the buildup is intended both to deter Iran and to prepare for any escalation if diplomacy fails.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point of concern, as it handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil trade. US maritime authorities have advised American vessels to maintain maximum distance from Iranian territorial waters amid heightened regional tensions.
Diplomatic efforts through Oman are seen as critical in preventing further instability in the Gulf while keeping channels of dialogue open between the two longtime adversaries.
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