Tehran, 6 February 2026 (dpa/MIA) - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday called for negotiations with the United States to take place on an equal footing ahead of the start of talks between the two countries.

"Equal standing, mutual respect and mutual interest are not rhetoric - they are a must and the pillars of a durable agreement," Araghchi wrote on social media platform X.

"We engage in good faith and stand firm on our rights," he added.

Araghchi is due to take part in the talks in the Omani capital Muscat, accompanied by his deputy ministers Majid Takht-Ravanchi and Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's state broadcaster reported.

The negotiations are scheduled to begin at 10 am (0600 GMT).

According to the broadcaster, Iran's delegation intends to focus exclusively on Tehran's nuclear programme. The United States, however, is also seeking to address Iran's ballistic missile programme and its support for regional militias.

The US is expected to be represented by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, accompanied by US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

The talks come against the backdrop of repeated threats by Trump to resort to military action.

Photo: EPA