The Globalist – US-Iran Talks Begin in Oman: Can Common Ground Be Found?

Monocle Radio | Host: Emma Nelson | Air Date: February 6, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the high-stakes diplomatic dialogue between the United States and Iran, commencing in Oman. Against a tense geopolitical backdrop—including military posturing, recent regional violence, and Iran’s intensified domestic turmoil—the show explores the prospects for common ground. Leading analysis is provided by Wall Street Journal’s Middle East correspondent Benoit Faucon, live from Muscat, Oman.

Additionally, the episode covers:

• Thailand’s critical upcoming election,
• Ongoing Ukraine war developments and European diplomacy,
• Global tech and economic stories,
• Over-tourism in Japan,
• Taiwan’s official response to the K-pop fan craze.

US-Iran Talks in Oman: Can Common Ground Be Found?

Setting the Scene: What Brought Both Sides to the Table

• Benoit Faucon, WSJ Correspondent (03:36): Explains the talks almost collapsed due to tensions at sea (“Iran forces basically harassed US flagship... one of their drones was shot down. So there were already tensions.”). Iran insisted on Oman—not Turkey—as the location, and wanted talks strictly focused on the nuclear program, excluding missiles or regional proxies.

• Iran’s position: Willing to discuss only nuclear issues.

• US stance: Prefers a broader agenda (nuclear, missiles, proxies).

Points of Possible Agreement and Key Obstacles

Potential Overlaps:

• Faucon (04:35): “There is room for concessions on the Iranian side that are easy to provide. For instance, commit to temporarily pause their nuclear enrichment. It’s not a very difficult commitment because they can’t do it anyway right now because of the damage on their facilities.”
• Possible non-aggression pact where both sides pledge restraint, and Iran commits not to attack Israel in exchange for US recognition of Iranian sovereignty and a pledge not to pursue regime change.

Limits of Progress:

• Agreements are likely to be “low threshold,” dealing with immediate escalation without solving long-term issues.

Who’s in the Room? Who Has the Upper Hand? (05:32)

• US delegation has shifted—larger and more experienced than previous rounds.
  • Includes Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, and General Brad Cooper (Central Command).
  • Faucon: “It’s a much bigger team and lots of heavyweights here… very different from last year.”
• Concerns about US negotiator Steve Witkoff potentially being “tricked,” as with Russia talks.

The Changed Calculus: Iran’s Domestic and Regional Position

• Faucon (07:01): Details two major changes since last year:

  1. Severe damage from Israeli and US strikes on Iran’s missile and nuclear programs.
  2. Mass protests within Iran, leading to a “massacre of protesters,” polarizing public and international opinion and pressuring Iran diplomatically.

• Human rights are now on the US agenda (“The US has raised really the issue of human rights... war could be helpful [for Iran] to put all these issues on the lid. But that’s a very dangerous calculation”).

Stakes for the Region (08:20)

• Gulf monarchies (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, UAE) “don’t want war because there will be immediate retaliation on the ground… They do want to have Iran under control, especially… its proxies like the Houthis and on its missile program.”
• Israel: Seeks “diminish[ing] Iran’s missile and military capabilities” and eventually regime change, but “the issue for them is really the timing.”

Likely Outcomes (09:40–10:13)

• Best hope is a “framework for further discussions” to pause escalation (“No fundamental breakthrough. But yes, at least, a framework for further discussions… we stop war for now.”)
• Risk: US puts forward maximalist demands (nuclear, missiles, human rights); if so, “it’s quite possible [the talks] would just collapse immediately.”

"This de-escalation is… the best that has to be expected, right? No fundamental breakthrough... a framework for further discussions that means, you know, you've got enough to choose to say, okay, we stop war for now."
– Benoit Faucon, 10:13

Other Key Segments

Thailand’s Three-Way Election Battle (12:08–19:41)

• Prof. Titinan Pongsudhirak (12:17): Describes the contest between conservative, populist, and new progressive (People’s) parties, and the ever-present risk that even if progressives win, they could be dissolved (“If the People's Party wins again, the same thing could happen.”).
• “Thailand is falling behind, it’s diminished. So they want their country back.”
• Despite political fatigue, signs of high youth turnout.
• Ongoing risk of establishment intervention, military coups, or judiciary dissolutions, fostering political instability and stunting economic growth.

"We've gone through this cycle of instability and economic malaise and people vote and it doesn't count because the people, the party they vote for gets dissolved... But for young people... if the country has no future, I think that they still would go to the polls."
– Prof. Titinan, 15:13

Ukraine War and European Diplomacy (21:07–24:41)

• Julia Jan, Monocle researcher: Reports increased Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, ongoing blackouts in Kyiv.
  • Poland’s PM Donald Tusk visited Kyiv, reaffirmed "the world's eyes" must stay on Ukraine.
  • New Poland-Ukraine military industry cooperation: “joint production of weapons and ammunition, swapping jets for Ukrainian-made drones.”
  • Recent prisoner exchange, UAE-brokered, lifts morale.

"We must not leave Ukraine alone at this time."
– Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland (quoted, 21:27)

Front Pages & Economic Snapshots (24:41–28:48)

• Nikkei Asia: Supply chain fears as US/Taiwanese computer makers consider Chinese memory chips due to AI-driven shortages. Risks over dependence on Chinese tech.
• The Times (UK): Reviews Paris’s costly, mind-bending new train station—ambitious, but overwhelming and “makes you feel sick when you go in.”

Global Politics: Serbia and Kosovo Relations (37:35–46:08)

• Serbian PM Djuro Matsut: At Dubai summit, reiterates Serbia’s position that Kosovo is not recognized as an independent state.
  • “If we allow that… the Kosovo issue can be spread through the world, then… splitting the countries into the small ones… is not a functional international position.”
  • Open to dialogue but critical of EU moving the goalposts on Serbia’s accession.
• Emphasizes multilateralism, neutrality regarding Ukraine war, concerns about region-wide instability.

Over-Tourism in Japan (47:02–52:25)

• Fiona Wilson, Monocle’s Tokyo Bureau Chief: Local cherry blossom festival near Mount Fuji canceled due to overwhelming influx of tourists—"our quiet way of life is being ruined."
• Tourists' bad behavior: trespassing, littering, using private bathrooms, all amplified by social media’s promotion of scenic spots.
• Authorities face a dilemma between commerce and quality of life; no easy solution on the horizon.

Taiwan’s K-pop Fandom: Parental and Government Anxiety (53:12–59:12)

• Bernie Cho, K-pop agency DFSB Collective president: Taiwan’s Ministry of Education issues guidelines for parents on handling youth K-pop fandom.
  • Government fears over “fandomonia"; urges parents to get more involved—may accidentally grow rather than curb the craze.
  • Underlying concerns seem more commercial than emotional (“These K Pop fans spend a lot of money, much to the shock...of their parents.”)
  • Cho notes: Rather than warning, officials might study K-pop’s formula to help homegrown artists succeed.

"The prescription...if parents are worried about their kids’ K-pop craze, [is] recommending the parents get more engaged... The kids will stay K-pop fans, but they may inadvertently get their parents to become K-pop fans."
– Bernie Cho, 54:11

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On US-Iran Talks:
  – “There is room for, you know, concessions on the Iranian side that are easy to provide...Commit to temporarily pause their nuclear enrichment—it’s not a very difficult commitment because they can’t do it anyway right now.” (Benoit Faucon, 04:35)

• On Iran’s Position:
  – “…Massacre of protesters…makes it basically potentially would force Iran to make more concessions and make concessions on other matters beyond the normal nuclear and missile size.” (Benoit Faucon, 07:01)

• On the Region's Stakes:
  – “They don’t want conflict that would basically, you know, boomerang back into, on their territory…They do want to have Iran under control…on its proxies like the Houthis and on its missile program.” (Benoit Faucon, 08:20)

• On US Demands:
  – “If the US comes with that agenda and say…there’s no discussion around it, then it’s quite possible it would just collapse immediately.” (Benoit Faucon, 10:13)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:30–11:17]: US-Iran Oman Talks (Emma Nelson & Benoit Faucon)
• [12:08–19:41]: Thailand’s Election Dynamics (Emma Nelson & Titinan Pongsudhirak)
• [21:07–24:41]: Ukraine’s War Realities & Polish Solidarity (Julia Jan)
• [24:41–28:48]: Tech Industry and Paris Infrastructure
• [37:35–46:08]: Serbian PM on Kosovo, Regional Stability
• [47:02–52:25]: Japan’s Cherry Blossom Over-Tourism (Fiona Wilson)
• [53:12–59:12]: Taiwan’s K-pop Fandom Worries (Bernie Cho)

Overall Tone

The episode is expertly anchored, with a measured, in-depth approach and an internationalist perspective. There’s skepticism regarding diplomatic progress between the US and Iran, tempered by hope for a pause in escalation. Coverage of other global news is analytical yet accessible, frequently using guests' firsthand observations and a sense of humor when discussing lighter cultural stories.