Iran Said to Want Change in Location and Scope of Issues to Be Discussed in Talks with U.S.

Iran is demanding that talks with the United States this week be held in Oman, not Turkey, while the scope of the issue is narrowed to a two-way negotiation only on nuclear issues, a regional source said on Tuesday, raising doubts about whether the meeting would go according to plan.

Iran's attempt to change the location and agenda of the talks, which are currently scheduled for Friday in Istanbul, comes amid rising tensions as the US increases its military presence in the Middle East.

Regional states have pushed for a resolution to the standoff, which has led to threats of reciprocal air strikes and stoked fears of an escalation into a wider war.

"They want to change the format, they want to change the scope," said a regional diplomat familiar with Iran's demands, as reported by Al Arabiya from Reuters (4/2).

"They just want to discuss nuclear issues with America, while the US wants to include other topics such as (ballistic) missiles and Iran's proxy activities in the region," he added.

Separately, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Tuesday that talks with Iran were still scheduled to take place this weekend, following the shooting down of an Iranian drone that approached the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) in the Arabian Sea.

"I just spoke with special envoy (Steve) Witkoff, and these talks are still scheduled for now," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, adding that the talks would take place "this weekend," as reported by Al Arabiya from AFP.

"President Trump has always wanted to prioritize diplomacy first, but it is clear that cooperation from both parties is needed," Leavitt said outside the White House.

A meeting between Witkoff, an entrepreneur who has been appointed by President Trump as his roving global conflict negotiator, and Iranian officials "may" take place in Turkey, a source close to the matter said.

The US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner are scheduled to take part in talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to a source familiar with the matter.

In addition, a number of ministers from several other countries in the region are also expected to attend.

An Iranian diplomatic source earlier said Tehran's view of the talks was neither optimistic nor pessimistic, adding that Iran's defense capabilities were not negotiable and they were ready for any scenario.

"It remains to be seen whether the United States also intends to conduct serious negotiations that are result-oriented or not," the source said.

A regional official said the priority of diplomatic efforts was to avoid conflict and ease tensions.

"Initially, regional powers including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates were also invited," he said. But given Iran's latest demands, it is unclear whether their participation will continue.