Plans for renewed U.S.–Iran nuclear talks are on the brink of collapse after Washington rejected Tehran’s demand to change both the location and format of negotiations scheduled for Friday.

Axar.az, citing Axios, reports that the talks were initially agreed to take place in Istanbul, with regional countries observing and a dual-track format covering nuclear issues as well as missiles, proxy groups, and human rights.

Iran, however, pushed to move the talks to Oman and limit them to bilateral nuclear discussions only, excluding other contentious issues. U.S. officials refused, telling Tehran it was “this or nothing.” Iranian officials responded by effectively walking away, raising doubts that talks will happen at all this week.

U.S. officials warn the deadlock could close the diplomatic path and increase the likelihood that President Donald Trump turns to military options, which he has repeatedly threatened. While Washington says it remains open to talks if Iran returns to the original framework, officials are increasingly skeptical a deal is achievable, stressing they will not revive what they see as ineffective past approaches.