Trump Administration Demands "Meaningful Concessions" from Tehran as Muscat Talks Shift to Core Issues

Sources revealed on Sunday, February 9, 2026, that the Trump administration has signaled to Tehran that the next round of negotiations must include "meaningful substance" and concrete concessions regarding the nuclear file. This follows a preliminary meeting in Oman last Friday between Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi and a high-powered U.S. delegation featuring Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Admiral Brad Cooper. While the first encounter was termed "good," it focused primarily on the framework of the talks rather than geopolitical specifics.

Washington is now reportedly expecting the Iranian delegation to return to the table ready to discuss limitations on uranium enrichment and regional influence. The involvement of Jared Kushner—the architect of the Abraham Accords—and Admiral Cooper suggests that the U.S. is pushing for a broader "Grand Bargain" that integrates regional security with nuclear constraints. The message to Tehran is clear: the Trump administration is looking for immediate results, not prolonged diplomatic maneuvering.