Iran requests nuclear talks with the U.S. in Oman as diplomatic efforts intensify amid escalating regional tensions and military buildup in the Middle East.

By Steve Holland and Trevor Hunnicutt FORT BRAGG, North Carolina, Feb 13 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump told U.S. troops on Friday that Iran has been “difficult” in nuclear negotiations and suggested that instilling fear in Tehran may be necessary to resolve the standoff peacefully.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to push Trump at a meeting Wednesday for Tehran's ballistic missile arsenal to be included in any nuclear deal.

Iran topped the agenda of a meeting between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington, their sixth since Trump's return to office in 2025.

Vice President JD Vance warned Iran that there is "another option on the table" if nuclear deal talks fail, citing President Donald Trump's threats.

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are meeting at the White House and set to discuss new nuclear talks with Iran.

Iran stepped up its crackdown on Monday after recent protests, with more arrests, while holding the door open to Washington for further nuclear negotiations. Alongside this defiance, Iran has signalled it could come to some kind of deal to dial back its nuclear programme to avoid further conflict with Washington.

Iran rejects U.S. demands to negotiate ballistic missile program as tensions escalate across Middle East despite ongoing diplomatic talks in Oman.