US and Iran on the Brink of High-Stakes Talks as Missiles, Nukes and Power Struggles Dominate the Agenda

The United States is preparing for possible talks with Iran this week. The moment is tense. The stakes are high. Washington says it is ready to engage. Yet it wants serious commitments before any progress can be made.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke on Wednesday. He said Iran had shown interest in talks. He also said the US was open to meeting. Still, many details remain unclear. Even the location is not settled.

Oman is one option. Turkey is another. Reports have sent mixed signals. US envoy Steve Witkoff was ready to travel. However, Tehran sent conflicting messages. That caused delays. Still, both sides appear to be edging closer.

Washington has also set firm conditions. Rubio said talks must cover Iran’s missile program. They must also include its nuclear activities. Support for armed groups is another key issue. The treatment of Iranian citizens is also on the list. Rubio said limited talks would not be enough. He wants results that last.

At the same time, pressure on Iran is rising. President Donald Trump has ordered a strong military buildup near Iran’s coastline. He has also warned of possible strikes. These moves send a clear message. They also increase the urgency for diplomacy.

Iran is facing growing trouble at home. Protests have spread across the country. Many people are frustrated. The government has struggled to control the unrest. This has weakened its grip on power.

Iran has also lost ground in the region. Israel hit Hezbollah hard in Lebanon last year. That damaged a major ally. Syria has also changed. The fall of Bashar al-Assad removed a long-time partner. As a result, Iran’s influence has shrunk.

Even so, Tehran remains firm on some red lines. In earlier talks, it refused to discuss its missiles. Leaders say the weapons are for defense. They say Israel is a threat. They argue every nation has a right to protect itself.

Despite this, signs of movement are growing. Iranian state media says talks will happen on Friday. It named Oman as the likely venue. This suggests both sides are serious.

Rubio welcomed the possibility. He also stayed cautious. He said the US is ready to meet. He also said it can walk away. The coming days will be crucial. A deal could lower tensions. Failure could raise them.