Tehran: Iran and the United States are set to hold a new round of nuclear negotiations in Oman later this week, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has announced, amid rising tensions fueled by Washington's military buildup in the Middle East and renewed threats from US President Donald Trump.

In a post on X on Wednesday, Araghchi said the talks would begin at around 10:00 am on Friday in Muscat, thanking Oman for facilitating the meeting. While he did not disclose the exact format, Iranian media reported that the discussions would be indirect, with Oman acting as a mediator.

According to Iranian sources, the negotiations will focus solely on Iran's nuclear energy program and the potential lifting of US sanctions. Contentious issues such as Iran's ballistic missile capabilities and its support for regional allies are not expected to be on the agenda.

US outlet Axios reported that plans for the meeting were revived after several Middle Eastern leaders urged the Trump administration not to abandon diplomatic engagement. Quoting an unnamed US official, the report said Washington agreed to the talks reluctantly, remaining 'very skeptical' about their prospects.

Meanwhile, Abbas Pazoki, deputy for communications in the office of Iran's first vice president, dismissed many media reports surrounding the talks as 'psychological operations' designed to shape public opinion and pressure Tehran into concessions.

The renewed diplomatic effort comes against the backdrop of escalating rhetoric and military posturing. President Donald Trump has warned that Iran's supreme leader should be 'very worried' following the deployment of additional US military assets to the region. He has also voiced support for protests in Iran, largely driven by economic grievances, a move Tehran claims is part of a broader campaign by the US and Israel to destabilize the country.

For years, Washington has pushed Iran to curb uranium enrichment, arguing it could pave the way for nuclear weapons. Tehran has repeatedly rejected negotiations under pressure, maintaining that its nuclear program is peaceful and warning that it is fully prepared to defend itself against any military attack.