US Cancels Planned Nuclear Talks with Iran as Envoy Witkoff Prepares to Depart Region
WASHINGTON — The United States has abruptly canceled a highly anticipated round of nuclear negotiations with Iran that was scheduled to take place later this week in Istanbul. Senior U.S. officials confirmed on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, that the talks were called off after Tehran refused to broaden the agenda beyond its nuclear program and attempted to alter the agreed-upon format of the meetings.
Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East appointed by the Trump administration, is now expected to leave the region on Thursday and return to the United States. Witkoff had been slated to lead the American delegation in what would have been a significant diplomatic engagement with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
According to diplomatic sources familiar with the matter, the collapse of the initiative stems from fundamental disagreements over the scope and venue of the discussions. The United States, supported by regional allies, had insisted on a comprehensive agenda that included not only Iran’s nuclear development but also its ballistic missile program, financial support for regional proxy groups, and human rights issues.
“The gaps between the United States and Iran are very, very large and currently appear unbridgeable,” said a senior official briefed on the exchange. “The Iranians sought to confine the negotiations solely to the nuclear file and the lifting of sanctions, explicitly stating that other matters were not on the table. That was a non-starter for Washington.”
In addition to the dispute over the agenda, friction arose regarding the logistical framework of the summit. The initial plan reportedly involved multilateral talks in Istanbul, Turkey, with representatives from neighboring Arab states present as observers to ensure regional security concerns were addressed. However, Iranian officials reportedly petitioned to move the venue to Muscat, Oman, and insisted on a strictly bilateral format with the United States, excluding other regional powers.
The Biden administration’s successor has taken a firm stance, with officials conveying a “this or nothing” message regarding the terms of engagement. When Tehran rejected the broader format, the decision was made to suspend the diplomatic track. “We tried to reach an accommodation, but the Iranian side refused,” a U.S. official told reporters.
The cancellation comes amidst heightened tensions in the Middle East. Earlier this week, Envoy Witkoff held high-level strategic meetings in Tel Aviv with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and heads of the Israeli security establishment. During these consultations, Israeli officials reportedly presented updated intelligence assessments regarding Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio had foreshadowed the breakdown earlier on Wednesday, stating that any meaningful dialogue would require Tehran to address the full spectrum of U.S. concerns, including its missile stockpiles and regional activities.
With the diplomatic path currently stalled, observers warn that the focus may shift toward alternative options. Regional sources indicate that military coordination between the U.S. and Israel has reached unprecedented levels, with discussions now turning to potential contingencies should the diplomatic stalemate persist. As Witkoff prepares to return to Miami, the prospect of a near-term diplomatic breakthrough appears to have dimmed significantly.
* alarabiya.net
* ynetnews.com
* timesofisrael.com
* investinglive.com
