In a recent development, a prominent Iranian security official made a noteworthy visit to Oman, mere days after the United States and Iran engaged in indirect negotiations over nuclear matters in the Middle Eastern sultanate. This visit signals potential progress in the ongoing dialogue between the two nations.
Ali Larijani, previously the speaker of the Iranian parliament and currently the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, was reportedly in Oman to deliberate on the next steps following the preliminary talks. According to The Associated Press, Larijani was seen with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who has been playing a pivotal role as a mediator in these U.S.-Iran discussions. Photographs shared by Larijani’s team captured this diplomatic engagement.
Iranian media hinted that Larijani’s visit carried a significant message. However, subsequent reports from state television suggested that it was al-Busaidi who conveyed a letter to Larijani, leaving the letter’s origin shrouded in mystery, as per the reports by the AP.
A photograph of the meeting in Muscat, Oman, on February 10, 2026, shows Ali Larijani attentively listening to Badr al-Busaidi, adding a visual layer to this intricate diplomatic interaction. The image, credited to Erfan Kouchari from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Office, was disseminated via the AP.
During his stay in Oman, Larijani also engaged in a nearly three-hour discussion with Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq. This information was relayed by the Iranian state-run IRNA news agency and reported by the AP. Furthermore, Larijani’s itinerary included a visit to Qatar, known for hosting a U.S. military base involved in the 2025 airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
In a pointed remark, Larijani accused Israel of adopting a “destructive role” in the ongoing negotiations. His comments came just ahead of the anticipated visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington, D.C., underscoring the complex geopolitical dynamics at play.
“Netanyahu is now on his way to the United States. Americans must think wisely and not allow him, through posturing, to imply before his flight that ‘I want to go and teach Americans the framework of the nuclear negotiations.’ They must remain alert to the destructive role of the Zionists,” Larijani wrote on X.
Israel and Iran engaged in a 12-day war in the summer of 2025 which culminated in the U.S. bombing Tehran’s nuclear facilities. Iran, which has been grappling with mass anti-government protests, has blamed Israel and the U.S. for various grievances.
Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi ahead of U.S.-Iran talks in Muscat, Oman, on Feb. 6, 2026. (Oman Foreign Ministry/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Officials from both the U.S. and Iran have said that the first round of talks went well and suggested that they would continue.
“The Muscat meeting, which was not a long one, it was a half-day meeting. For us, it was a way to measure the seriousness of the other side, and to find out how we could continue the process. Therefore, we mostly addressed the generalities,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said at a news conference Tuesday in Tehran, according to the AP.
“Our principles are clear. Our demand is to secure the interests of the Iranian nation based on international norms and the Non-Proliferation Treaty and peaceful use of nuclear energy,” Baghaei said, according to the AP. “So as for the details, we should wait for the next steps and see how this diplomatic process will continue.”
Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, special envoy Steve Witkoff and negotiator Jared Kushner meet ahead of the U.S.-Iran talks, in Muscat on Feb. 6, 2026. (Oman Foreign Ministry/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said indirect nuclear talks with the U.S. in Oman were “a good start” and that there was a “consensus” that the negotiations would continue.
“After a long period without dialogue, our viewpoints were conveyed, and our concerns were expressed. Our interests, the rights of the Iranian people, and all matters that needed to be stated were presented in a very positive atmosphere, and the other side’s views were also heard,” Araghchi said.
“It was a good start, but its continuation depends on consultations in our respective capitals and deciding on how to proceed,” he added.
President Donald Trump also expressed optimism about the indirect talks, telling reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday that “Iran looks like it wants to make a deal very badly. We’ll have to see what that deal is.”
When he was pressed on how long the U.S. would be willing to wait to make a deal with Iran, the president indicated some flexibility, saying he believes the two nations can reach an agreement.
“It can be reached. Well, we have to get in position. We have plenty of time. If you remember Venezuela, we waited around for a while, and we’re in no rush. We have very good [talks] with Iran,” Trump said.
President Donald Trump said indirect nuclear talks with Iran were “very good” and that Tehran “wants to make a deal very badly.” (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images; Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images)
“They know the consequences if they don’t make a deal. The consequences are very steep. So, we’ll see what happens. But they had a very good meeting with a very high representative of Iran,” the president added.
American and Iranian representatives held separate meetings with Omani officials on Friday amid flaring tensions between Washington and Tehran. Oman’s Foreign Ministry said the meetings were “focused on preparing the appropriate conditions for resuming diplomatic and technical negotiations.”
