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 Parisa Hafezi DUBAI, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Iran’s leadership is increasingly worried a U.S. strike could break its grip on power by driving an already enraged public back onto the streets, following a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests,

The White House says talks between the U.S. and Iran are still planned, despite incidents escalating tensions Tuesday.

President Trump announced active negotiations with Iran, indicating Tehran's desire to avoid military confrontation, referencing a previous incident he called “Midnight Hammer.”

Turkey plans to host high-level talks between the US and Iran on Friday aimed at de-escalating tensions between the two countries.

By Parisa Hafezi, Humeyra Pamuk and Idrees Ali DUBAI/WASHINGTON, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Iran is demanding that talks with the U.S. this week be held in Oman not Turkey, and that the scope be narrowed to two-way negotiations on nuclear issues only,

U.S. allies and partners in the Middle East again are urging restraint from both the United States and Iran as the Trump administration warns of a possible strike and builds up its military presence in the region.

Turkey is attempting to bring U.S. and Iranian officials to the negotiating table in hopes of easing the threat of U.S. military action against Iran. Neither the U.S. nor Iran has confirmed whether they plan to take part in any negotiations.

Even with US forces poised to strike Iran, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told CNN that he was “confident that we can achieve a deal” on Tehran’s nuclear program.