Iran Prepared to Defend Itself Against US 'Excessive Demands', Talks Resume in Oman

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday said Tehran is fully prepared to defend itself against any “excessive demands or adventurism” by the United States, as the Oman-mediated talks between the two sides conclude. Speaking in Muscat alongside Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, Araghchi said Iran would pursue diplomacy to protect its national interests. “Iran maintains full readiness to defend the country’s sovereignty and national security against any excessive demands or adventurism by the United States,” he said, as US President Donald Trump declined to rule out military action against Tehran. Iranian news agency Mehr reported that Araghchi and al-Busaidi discussed major bilateral, regional and international issues. While emphasising diplomacy, Araghchi made it clear that Tehran would not compromise on its core security interests. Oman previously served as a mediator during Iran–US nuclear negotiations in 2025, which were disrupted in June when the Iran-Israel war briefly drew in US forces. After a week of shifting plans, Tehran and Washington are now set to resume talks in Oman, with discussions expected to focus at least on Iran’s nuclear programme. Earlier talks proposed in Turkey failed to materialise. State-run IRNA said Araghchi arrived in Muscat late at night accompanied by several Iranian diplomats. Flight-tracking data showed his aircraft departed from Tabas in eastern Iran, the site of the failed US Operation Eagle Claw in 1980. In a post on X, Araghchi said Iran was entering diplomacy “with open eyes and a steady memory of the past year”, stressing that commitments must be honoured and that equal standing, mutual respect and mutual interest are essential for a durable agreement. Iran and the US held indirect talks in Oman, mediated by Omani officials, aiming to ease tensions and avoid regional conflict. Iran linked nuclear program negotiations to Western sanctions relief and stressed readiness to defend its sovereignty. Get the latest stories delivered straight to your inbox.