US CENTCOM chief arrives in Oman for talks with Iranian officials

Admiral Brad Cooper, head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), has arrived in Oman to participate in high-level talks with Iranian officials, sources told The Wall Street Journal.

Such direct involvement by senior US military officers in diplomacy is rare, though previous administrations, including that of President Donald Trump, occasionally deployed military leaders in negotiations.

The discussions, held on February 6, focus on Iran’s contested nuclear programme and aim to prevent a new conflict in the Middle East, as the United States has recently bolstered its military presence in the region.

This marks the first direct talks between the two countries since a 12-day conflict in June involving Israel, which concluded after a US bombing raid on Iranian nuclear facilities. The meeting comes amid heightened tensions, with Washington threatening potential military action over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

By Sabina Mammadli