Experts including Latvian foreign policy researcher Sandis Šrāders and journalist Rihards Millers analyze the recent diplomatic engagement between the United States and Iran, which took place in Muscat, Oman on February 6. This dialogue marks a significant restart of communications, occurring after a period of escalated military action, including US and Israeli airstrikes against Iranian targets last summer. The consensus among experts is that these discussions reflect an acknowledgment of the perilous state of human rights in Iran and the US's strategic approach marked as 'dreadnought diplomacy,' a term implying a military readiness behind diplomatic overtures.

The discussions are underscored by the presence of powerful US naval forces, including the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, which is equipped with advanced multi-role combat aircraft. This military posture indicates the seriousness of US intentions in the region, suggesting that while diplomatic efforts are being made, they are backed by significant military capability. The 'dreadnought diplomacy' approach employed by the US suggests a dual strategy: a willingness to engage diplomatically while simultaneously ensuring military dominance in a volatile region.

As the situation in Iran remains fraught with uncertainty, experts warn that a regime change is unlikely and may even be perceived as a threat rather than a positive development. The legacy of past military interventions in the Middle East contributes to this skepticism regarding the potential for a constructive outcome from these diplomatic efforts, highlighting the ongoing complexity of geopolitical engagements in the region.