Iran and the United States held talks in Muscat, Oman, on February 6 to establish a framework for future negotiations.[1] The Omani Foreign Affairs Ministry stated that the talks between the Iranian and US delegations, which were headed by Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, respectively, “focused on creating the right conditions for the resumption of diplomatic and technical negotiations” and gaining each party's “commitment” to the talks.[2] US Central Command Commander Admiral Brad Cooper also attended the talks, according to a video published by Omani media and a US official speaking to the Wall Street Journal.[3] Araghchi claimed that he discussed “Iran's rights” in a “good atmosphere” with the US delegation and that the talks were a “good start.”[4] A political analyst close to the Iranian regime reported that the talks aimed to establish a framework for negotiations. He added that the talks were focused on “announcing positions, making demands, and presenting proposals” and that Iran and the United States “did not reach an agreement on generalities.”[5] Axios reported on February 6 that the United States and Iran will hold another round of talks in the coming days, citing a source with knowledge of the talks.[6] Israeli media, citing two sources familiar with the matter, reported that the United States told Iran that it expects Iran to make a “tangible and significant concession” regarding its nuclear program in the next round of talks.[7]
Iran remains unlikely to compromise on its red lines, which include uranium enrichment, its ballistic missile program and support for the Axis of Resistance, which reduces the likelihood that Iran and the United States will be able to reach a diplomatic solution during subsequent rounds of negotiations. Araghchi stated on February 6 that he conveyed during the talks that Iran would not agree to stop uranium enrichment or move Iran's uranium stockpile abroad.[8] An Iranian journalist close to the regime similarly stated on February 5 that the regime decided in recent days not to agree to transfer its enriched uranium stockpile to a third country.[9] The Iranian regime's English-language outlet emphasized on February 6 that Iran's ballistic missile program and support for the Axis of Resistance have “no place” in Iran's talks with the United States.[10] A Tehran-based Al Jazeera journalist separately reported on February 6 that the US demands also include curbing Iran's energy exports to the People's Republic of China.[11] Unspecified Iranian officials separately told Iranian state media on February 6 that Iran is prioritizing the lifting of sanctions.[12]
A policy analyst close to the Iranian regime reported on February 5 that the Defense Council will operate independently of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).[29] The analyst added that the Defense Council will formally remain a sub-council of the SNSC but will “advance [Iran's] defense policies” independently of the SNSC.[30] The SNSC, which is Iran's highest national security decision-making body, established the Defense Council in August 2025 to streamline wartime decision-making.[31] Iranian media reported in August 2025 that the Defense Council would take “rapid, balanced, and coordinated” steps to confront threats to Iran.[32] The Defense Council's autonomy could create new bureaucratic processes and thereby hamper decision-making during periods of conflict, however. This report comes after Iranian President and Defense Council Chairman Masoud Pezeshkian appointed Ali Shamkhani as the Defense Council's secretary on February 5.[33]
Iranian Defense and Armed Forces Logistics Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasir Zadeh possibly warned Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during a meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, on February 6 against allowing Israel to use Azerbaijan's territory to conduct operations against Iran. Nasir Zadeh and Aliyev discussed bilateral cooperation and regional security issues, as well as the threat posed by “the intervention of regional actors,” almost certainly in reference to Israel.[34] Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan “will not allow any threat to Iran.”[35] Iranian media outlets and officials accused Azerbaijan of allowing Israel to launch strikes against Iran from Azerbaijani territory during the June 2025 Israel-Iran War.[36] Iranian officials have also previously expressed concern about Israeli influence in Azerbaijan and deepening relations between Israel and Azerbaijan.[37] Nasir Zadeh separately met with Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov on February 6 to discuss bilateral security cooperation.[38]
The US State Department sanctioned 14 vessels and 15 entities, including four entities based in Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, on February 6 for transporting and facilitating the sale and purchase of Iranian oil.[39] Vessels in Iran's “shadow fleet,” including those that the US Treasury Department sanctioned on January 6, generate revenue that the Iranian regime uses to fund the Axis of Resistance, its weapons programs, and security services.[40] The United States has sanctioned over 180 vessels involved in transporting Iranian oil since January 2025.[41]
https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/iran-update-february-6-2026/
The United States and Iran will hold a new round of talks sometime early in the week of February 8. Neither the United States nor Iran has changed their negotiating position, which makes a diplomatic breakthrough unlikely if their respective positions do not change.[1] Iran and the United States held talks in Muscat, Oman, on February 6 to establish a framework for future negotiations.[2] US President Donald Trump stated on February 7 that US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held “very good talks” and that they will meet again “early next week.”[3] Israeli media, citing two sources familiar with the matter, reported that the United States told Iran that it expects Iran to make a “tangible and significant concession” regarding its nuclear program in the next round of talks.[4] Trump told reporters that the ”consequences are very steep” if Iran does not make a deal.[5] Trump signed an executive order on February 6 that imposes a conditional 25 percent tariff on countries doing business with Iran.[6]
Recent statements by Iranian officials indicate that Iran is unlikely to compromise on limits to its ballistic missile program, support for its proxies and partners in the region, and enrichment levels. Araghchi stated to Al Jazeera on February 7 that Iran will keep its enriched uranium inside the country and set enrichment levels based on national needs.[7] Araghchi also dismissed discussing issues outside of the nuclear program with the United States and reiterated threats to US bases in the region if the United States attacks Iran.[8]
The Iranian regime is reportedly continuing to develop plans to restrict international internet access to only trusted regime supporters, which indicates that the regime continues to fear the spontaneous outbreak of new protests. A US media outlet reported on February 6 that the regime was planning since at least August 2025 to overhaul Iran's digital ecosystem by blocking foreign platforms, banning circumvention tools, and enforcing reliance on state-approved technology “at every level.”[9] US-sanctioned head of the Supreme Cyberspace Council Mohammad Amin Aghamiri reportedly received and approved this plan in August 2025.[10] The United States sanctioned Aghamiri in 2023 for his role in blocking news and communication platforms and harassing journalists and dissidents as head of the Supreme Cyberspace Council.[11] The outlet obtained the documents through a source in the Iranian technology community, who received the original copies from a government employee inside Iran.[12] These claims are consistent with a January 15 report from internet monitor FilterWatch, which reported that the Iranian regime is planning to provide international internet access only to individuals with “security clearance” and that “users’ access to international internet will never return to its previous form.”[13]
These plans suggest that the regime believes that the protests could reemerge and therefore must continue its efforts to securitize Iran's digital ecosystem. The regime's fears are presumably enhanced in the short term, given the continued frustration and anger among Iranians in the aftermath of the deadliest crackdown in the history of the Islamic Republic.[14]
https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/iran-update-february-7-2026/