Muscat: Iran and the United States remain at an impasse regarding the scope of their upcoming nuclear discussions set to take place in Oman. Both nations have confirmed that the negotiations will proceed as scheduled on Friday, yet disagreements persist over what topics should be on the table.

According to Thai News Agency, the venue for these critical talks has been shifted from Istanbul, Turkey, to Muscat, Oman, following Iran's request to continue the dialogue from the previous round held in Oman. This round of talks will focus on Iran's nuclear program, yet the two countries have yet to align on whether additional issues should be included.

A senior Iranian official has indicated that Iran is open to negotiating the nuclear dispute but is not willing to include its missile program in the discussions. This stance could lead to a stalemate if the United States insists on expanding the agenda.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has emphasized that the United States is prepared to engage in talks with Iran but insists that the negotiations address a broader range of issues. These include Iran's missile program, its support for militant groups in the Middle East, and the treatment of its citizens, alongside the nuclear issue.

The negotiations are set to involve Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Special Representative Steve Whitkoff. Reports suggest that Jared Kushner, advisor and son-in-law to President Donald Trump, will also be participating. While Iran prefers bilateral talks solely with the United States, diplomats from various countries may act as mediators in the discussions. Failure to reach an agreement could lead to heightened tensions in the Middle East, as the US has positioned military forces in the region to apply pressure on Iran.