Iran and the United States will hold bilateral nuclear talks in Oman on Friday after Tehran refused wider discussions on missiles and human rights, underscoring fragile diplomacy.

Muscat: Iran and the United States are set to resume sensitive nuclear negotiations on Friday in Oman, following a late change in plans that narrowed the scope of talks to nuclear issues alone.

Tehran declined a proposed multilateral meeting in Istanbul that would have expanded discussions to include missile development, regional proxies and human rights concerns. Instead, Iranian officials pushed for a strictly bilateral format focused on the nuclear file, a position Washington eventually accepted after consultations with several mediating countries.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated that while talks would proceed, any lasting agreement must ultimately address Iran’s broader regional conduct. He also voiced scepticism about the chances of a breakthrough, highlighting deep mistrust between the two sides.

The talks come against a tense backdrop. Recent naval incidents have heightened security concerns in the region, global oil prices have edged higher, and Iran continues to face domestic unrest marked by widespread protests and arrests.

Analysis: The decision to limit discussions to nuclear issues may keep dialogue alive but risks postponing harder questions that underpin regional instability. For global markets and Middle East security, even incremental progress could ease short-term pressure, though expectations of a comprehensive deal remain muted. This assessment reflects analytical opinion; all factual details above are drawn from the original content.