Plans for U.S.–Iran nuclear talks are back on after urgent behind-the-scenes pressure from Middle Eastern leaders pushed the Trump administration to reverse course.

Axar.az, citing Axios, reports that at least nine regional countries lobbied the White House at senior levels, warning that canceling the talks could escalate tensions and increase the risk of military confrontation.

The talks will now take place Friday in Muscat, Oman, as Iran demanded, despite earlier U.S. resistance to changing the venue and format from the originally planned Istanbul meeting.

Washington agreed to proceed largely out of deference to regional allies and to keep the diplomatic track alive, though U.S. officials remain deeply skeptical about Iran’s intentions.

Unlike the original plan, which included two tracks—bilateral nuclear talks and multilateral discussions on missiles, proxies, and human rights—the Oman meeting will focus only on the nuclear file.

U.S. officials stress that skepticism remains high, citing Iran’s recent behavior and lack of progress in past negotiations, but say they are willing to listen if there is a chance for a “real deal.”