Nuclear Standoff: Iran and US Talks Teeter on the Brink

Iran and the United States are set to resume critical talks this Friday, although their future hangs in the balance amid Iranian demands for venue changes and limited scope. Initially planned for Turkey, Iran now insists on relocating discussions to Oman, focusing exclusively on nuclear issues, according to regional sources.

The shift in Iran's stance comes against a backdrop of rising tensions, exacerbated by a recent incident involving the US military's downing of an Iranian drone approaching the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier. President Trump, amidst deploying US warships, warned of potential 'bad things' should negotiations falter.

While the US aims to broaden the ongoing negotiations to cover Iran's ballistic missile program and regional proxy activities, Tehran remains firm on restricting discussions to nuclear topics. Notably, the talks will include influential figures such as Jared Kushner and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, alongside other regional ministers.