Third Round of Nuclear Talks Between US and Iran Resume in Geneva

American and Iranian officials are conducting their third round of nuclear negotiations in Geneva, mediated by Oman, as tensions escalate in the Middle East. The talks focus on halting Iran's uranium enrichment program while the US has deployed significant military forces to the region as pressure tactics.

American and Iranian representatives gathered in Geneva Thursday for their third attempt at nuclear negotiations, while President Trump simultaneously positions warships and military aircraft throughout the Middle East as diplomatic pressure.

Trump’s special Middle East representative Steve Witkoff, a real estate mogul and presidential ally, is working alongside Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to persuade Tehran to suspend uranium enrichment activities – a critical component in nuclear weapon development – and reduce long-range missile manufacturing.

Despite previous American strikes in June that damaged three Iranian nuclear facilities, Tehran maintains its commitment to continue uranium enrichment. Iranian officials have warned that any future American military action would result in retaliation against all US military installations across the Middle East, with additional threats directed toward Israel.

These current discussions represent the third diplomatic effort since last year’s 12-day military conflict between Israel and Iran, with failure potentially triggering broader regional warfare throughout the Middle East.

Iranian foreign ministry officials described the exchange of proposals between both nations as “very constructive” during Thursday’s session. Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei announced that negotiations temporarily halted around 1630GMT Thursday, allowing “both delegations needed to hold consultations with their respective capitals.”

Baghaei confirmed discussions centered on Iran’s nuclear activities and sanctions relief but declined to elaborate on specific details.

The Swiss-based indirect negotiations include Oman’s foreign minister and the International Atomic Energy Agency director, representing the UN’s nuclear oversight body. Diplomatic observers consider these talks the final opportunity for peaceful resolution, as Washington has assembled naval and air forces in the Middle East to compel Iranian cooperation.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, serving as mediator, reported that both parties have shared “creative and positive ideas” and expressed optimism for additional progress when discussions resume later Thursday.

Diplomatic convoys carrying Iranian and American delegations departed the Omani residence in Geneva following several hours of indirect morning negotiations.

A prominent adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader suggested Thursday that immediate agreement remains possible if talks concentrate exclusively on Iran’s pledge to avoid nuclear weapons development.

“If the main issue of the negotiations is Iran’s non-development of nuclear weapons, this is consistent with the Supreme Leader’s fatwa (religious declaration) and Iran’s defense doctrine, and an immediate agreement is within reach,” Ali Shamkhani posted on X Thursday.

Shamkhani emphasized that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi possesses “sufficient support and authority” to finalize any agreement during current negotiations.

Oman’s Foreign Ministry confirmed presenting Iranian proposals to US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner during Thursday’s Geneva session, publishing photographs showing Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi meeting with both American representatives.

The ministry described discussions as “constructive,” noting that al-Busaidi addressed American inquiries regarding Iran’s nuclear program and necessary guarantees for reaching agreement.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told state television that negotiations would concentrate solely on nuclear issues, similar to previous rounds, with possible participation from the International Atomic Energy Agency director general.

“Our positions are clear: the lifting of sanctions and the peaceful use of nuclear energy,” Baghaei stated.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham strongly opposed any uranium enrichment concessions to Iran, advocating for regime change instead.

“If media reports are true that there is a consideration of allowing Iran to have very small enrichment of uranium for face-saving purposes: screw that,” Graham posted on X Wednesday evening.

The South Carolina senator labeled Iran’s government “the largest state sponsor of terrorism” and expressed desire to “see the people of Iran change the regime – it’s long overdue.”

Before departing for Geneva negotiations, Foreign Minister Araghchi told India Today Wednesday that he believes a “fair, balanced, and equitable deal” remains achievable based on previous talks’ foundations, though Iranians approach current discussions with increased caution following Israel’s June attack during earlier US-Iranian negotiations.

“The wounds of that aggression is still alive in our minds,” Araghchi explained. “This time, we are obviously more careful.”

Araghchi dismissed reports of Iran developing intercontinental missiles as “fake news,” confirming the country limited missile range to 2,000 kilometers for defensive purposes only. He emphasized Iran’s commitment to uranium enrichment for peaceful purposes while offering permanent assurance of peaceful intentions in exchange for complete sanctions termination.

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, departed a Greek naval base Thursday while heading toward the Middle East, where American forces continue accumulating as Iranian tensions intensify.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian assured Thursday that Iran will not pursue nuclear weapons because the country’s religious leader has declared such intentions contrary to national policy.

“The religious leader of a society can’t lie,” Pezeshkian stated on state television from northern Iran. “When he announces that we won’t have nuclear weapons, it means we won’t. Even if I want to do that, I can’t, because of my beliefs.”

A recent AP-NORC poll revealed that approximately half of American adults remain “extremely” or “very” concerned about Iran’s nuclear program as a direct threat to the United States, though only about one-quarter express high confidence in Trump’s judgment regarding military force abroad.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented Wednesday that Iran continues attempting to rebuild nuclear program elements, stating Tehran is “trying to get to the point where they ultimately can” enrich uranium while also pursuing “intercontinental ballistic missiles.”