Iran has demanded that its upcoming talks with the United States be moved from Turkey to Oman and restricted solely to nuclear issues, a regional source said on Tuesday.

The move adds new complications to diplomatic efforts aimed at easing a growing standoff in the Middle East.

Originally scheduled for Friday in Istanbul, the talks were intended to address nuclear activity, ballistic missiles, and Iran’s regional influence. Tehran now wants a two-way, nuclear-focused discussion with the US only.

A regional diplomat explained, “They only want to discuss the nuclear file with the Americans, while the US wants to include other topics such as ballistic missiles and activities of Iran’s proxies in the region.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the negotiations are still planned for later this week, though Iran’s foreign ministry said the venue is still under discussion, with Oman, Turkey, and other countries expressing readiness to host.

US participation and regional players

Sources say US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, are expected to participate. Initially, ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, and the UAE were to attend, but Tehran now prefers a purely bilateral approach.

Regional players have emphasized the urgent need for diplomacy to prevent escalation into armed conflict, especially as tensions in the Gulf continue to rise.

Heightened tensions in gulf

The US has deployed naval forces following Iran’s crackdown on anti-government protests last month. On Tuesday, a Shahed-139 drone approached the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea and was shot down by an F-35 fighter jet.

In a separate incident, two Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps boats and a Mohajer drone threatened a US-flagged tanker, the M/V Stena Imperative, in the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker was escorted safely by the USS McFaul.

Iran’s stance on nuclear

President Trump has demanded that Iran halt uranium enrichment, limit its ballistic missile program, and end support for regional proxies. Iran considers these preconditions infringements on its sovereignty, though officials indicated Tehran may show flexibility on uranium enrichment while refusing to negotiate missile or defensive capabilities.

Iran’s regional influence has also been constrained by Israeli attacks on its proxies in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq, as well as the removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

With US forces in the region and domestic unrest in Iran, Tehran seeks to avoid escalation while asserting its non-negotiable positions on defense. Gulf allies like the UAE have stressed that the region cannot afford another conflict and have pushed for renewed negotiations.

The outcome of the upcoming talks could shape the next phase of US-Iran relations and regional stability, with both sides under pressure to prevent miscalculation.