Media: US-Iran talks in Oman focus solely on nuclear dispute, avoid missile program, “axis of resistance”

Recent diplomatic consultations between the United States and Iran in Oman focused exclusively on resolving long-standing disagreements over Iran’s nuclear program, with no discussions held on Tehran’s missile capabilities or its support for regional proxy groups collectively referred to as the “axis of resistance”, a diplomatic source told Russian media.

The meetings, which come amid heightened tensions across the Middle East, were described by Iranian officials as a “diplomatic triumph” for the Islamic Republic, Caliber.Az reports.

The source noted that Iran considers the exclusion of its ballistic missile program from the negotiation agenda a significant achievement, suggesting a strategic victory in maintaining its regional deterrence capabilities.

Notably, the talks also avoided any discussion of Iran’s backing for a network of armed non-state actors widely considered hostile to Israel. This informal alliance — known as the “axis of resistance” — includes groups such as Hamas in Palestine, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iraq’s Shiite militia al-Hashd al-Shaabi, and Yemen’s Houthis, against whom the US has recently resumed military operations.

“The participants in the Oman meeting discussed only the framework for future nuclear talks,” the diplomatic source stated. “The consultations that took place did not touch upon issues such as the implementation of Iran's missile program and support for the “axis of resistance”, including the Houthis, against whom the US is waging a military campaign in Yemen.”

While no breakthroughs were announced, the narrowly defined scope of the dialogue underscores a deliberate diplomatic strategy by both sides to isolate the nuclear issue from broader regional security concerns — a move that may facilitate more focused negotiations, but which could also draw criticism from US allies concerned about Iran’s wider regional influence.

By Vafa Guliyeva