US Iran Advisory and Muscat Talks: Nuclear Programme and Regional Security Under Scrutiny

The United States is urging all American citizens in Iran to leave the country as soon as possible, warning that rising tensions could disrupt flights and other services while internal unrest continues. The advisory says those unable to depart quickly should move to secure locations and stock essential supplies such as food, water and medicines.

The security alert comes as officials from Washington and Tehran prepare for sensitive talks in Muscat, Oman, centred on Iran's nuclear programme and wider regional security. Both sides face political pressure at home, and the US government is signalling that conditions inside Iran could deteriorate without notice during this diplomatic effort.

Negotiations in Oman are expected to bring together US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with Oman again acting as mediator. Both governments have confirmed that the Muscat meeting is scheduled for Friday, and Iranian media report that Araghchi arrived in the city on Thursday night.

Iran's foreign ministry has stated that it has a "responsibility not to miss any opportunity to use diplomacy" to safeguard regional peace and stability. Officials in Tehran have also expressed hope that Washington will participate in the Muscat discussions "with responsibility, realism and seriousness," signalling cautious support for talks despite deep mistrust.

From Washington, senior leaders are emphasising that dialogue does not remove the option of force. US vice president JD Vance said in an interview aired on Wednesday, "He is going to talk to everybody, he is going to try to accomplish what he can through non-military means, and if he feels like the military is the only option, then he is ultimately going to choose that."

Political rhetoric has sharpened ahead of the Oman talks. Speaking to NBC News and quoted by CNN, Trump directly addressed Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stating, "I would say he should be very worried, yeah. He should be," while again hinting that military action remains possible if diplomatic efforts fail.

Trump also stressed that contacts with Tehran are already under way. "They're negotiating," Trump said on Thursday, referring to Iran. He added that Iranian officials want to avoid direct attacks, explaining, "They don't want us to hit them, we have a big fleet going there," and described the naval deployment as an "armada."

CNN has reported that Iran has agreed in principle to join talks with the United States aimed at preventing further US military strikes. Any eventual agreement, however, will depend on outcomes in Muscat and later discussions, as both governments must manage sceptical domestic audiences and wary regional partners.

US Iran advisory and US Iran talks Oman: military posture and nuclear stakes

Alongside the diplomatic track, Iran is highlighting expanded military capabilities. During a visit to an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps missile facility, Iran's armed forces chief of staff Abdolrahim Mousavi examined upgraded systems, joined by IRGC Aerospace Force commander Brigadier General Majid Mousavi, according to state broadcaster Press TV, which showcased the visit as evidence of increased deterrent strength.

Press TV quoted Mousavi as saying, "By upgrading its ballistic missiles in all technical dimensions, Iran has been able to strengthen its deterrence power," signalling that Tehran sees missile forces as central to its security strategy while relations with Washington remain strained and the risk of miscalculation stays elevated across the region.

Mousavi described a broader change in defence thinking after a recent 12-day conflict. He said, "Following the 12-day war, we have changed our military doctrine from defensive to offensive by adopting the policy of asymmetric warfare and [boosting readiness for a] crushing response to the enemies," according to Press TV, suggesting preparations for rapid retaliation if attacked.

Iranian commanders have repeated that any US strike would trigger a response. State television quoted army spokesperson General Mohammad Akraminia stating, "We are ready to defend, and it is the US president who must choose between compromise or war," adding that Iran has "easy" access to American bases across the region, a claim intended to warn US planners.

Iran says its nuclear activities are peaceful, a position held for decades, though some political figures have recently threatened that the country could seek a nuclear weapon. Tehran is enriching uranium to about 60 per cent, close to weapons-grade levels, and is the only state without a declared nuclear arsenal to reach such enrichment.

The current nuclear and security context can be summarised as follows:

Issue	Detail
US travel advisory	Americans urged to leave Iran; prepare secure locations and essential supplies
Oman talks timing	Meeting in Muscat confirmed for Friday; Araghchi arrived Thursday night
Uranium enrichment level	Iran enriching to about 60 per cent
Recent conflict reference	Described by Iran as a 12-day war

A US-based think tank, the Institute for the Study of War, has assessed that Tehran's stance leaves limited space for compromise with Washington. It stated, "Iran continues to show inflexibility toward addressing US demands, which reduces the likelihood that Iran and the United States will be able to reach a diplomatic solution," underlining concerns that negotiations in Oman may struggle.

Trump has in recent weeks increased warnings about Iran's nuclear programme, saying that if Tehran refuses a deal limiting nuclear activities, unspecified "bad things" could follow. Combined with the travel advisory, the military signals and the hardening positions described by analysts, these statements highlight the risks surrounding US Iran advisory and US Iran talks Oman.