The United States and Iran will resume indirect nuclear negotiations in Geneva on Thursday, in what officials describe as a renewed effort to resolve their longstanding dispute over Tehran’s nuclear programme. The talks come against the backdrop of mounting military threats from President Donald Trump and an expanded US military presence in the Middle East.
This will mark the third round of indirect discussions between the two sides this month, following earlier meetings in Geneva. The negotiations are being mediated by Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr Albusaidi.
Representing Washington will be US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Iran will be represented by its Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, who arrived in Switzerland on Wednesday and met with his Omani counterpart ahead of the formal talks.
Before departing Tehran, Araqchi said a “fair, balanced and equitable deal” was within reach, provided diplomacy remained the priority. However, he reiterated that Iran would not relinquish what it considers its right to peaceful nuclear technology, a stance the United States views as a potential pathway to the development of nuclear weapons.
In a statement posted on X, Araqchi said: “A deal is within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority.”
Tensions have risen sharply in recent weeks. US Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday accused Iran of attempting to rebuild its nuclear programme following US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites last June.
“Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon. That would be the ultimate military objective, if that’s the route that (Trump) chose,” Vance told Fox News. He added that the administration preferred a diplomatic solution but that “other options” remained available to the president.
President Trump reiterated his position during his State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday, stating that while he favoured resolving the dispute through diplomacy, he would not allow Tehran to obtain a nuclear weapon. He first threatened military action last month as Iran intensified a crackdown on anti-government protests, during which thousands were reportedly killed.
Trump warned that it would be a “very bad day” for Iran if no agreement were reached. In response, Tehran has threatened to target American bases in the region should it come under attack.
An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson rejected US accusations regarding its nuclear programme, ballistic missile development and the scale of protester deaths, describing them as “big lies”.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking from Saint Kitts and Nevis, said the Geneva discussions would focus primarily on Iran’s nuclear activities but would also address concerns over its ballistic missile programme. He warned that Iran was seeking to develop intercontinental-range missile capabilities.
“Beyond just the nuclear programme, they possess these conventional weapons that are solely designed to attack America and attack Americans,” Rubio said. “They already possess weapons that can reach much of Europe already now, as we speak.”
The Trump administration has continued assembling a substantial military presence in the Middle East, fuelling concerns of a broader regional conflict. In June last year, the United States joined Israel in striking Iranian nuclear facilities, an operation Trump said had “obliterated” the country’s nuclear infrastructure.
On 19 February, Trump gave Iran a 10–15 day deadline to reach an agreement, warning that “really bad things” would otherwise occur.
Meanwhile, the US Treasury Department has introduced sweeping sanctions targeting more than 30 individuals, entities and vessels accused of financing Iran’s oil exports, ballistic missile programme and weapons manufacturing network.
Tehran is reportedly offering fresh concessions in exchange for sanctions relief and recognition of its right to enrich uranium, in an apparent effort to avert further escalation. However, significant divisions remain, particularly over the scope and sequencing of sanctions relief, according to a senior Iranian official speaking to Reuters.
Domestically, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, faces mounting pressure amid what observers describe as the most serious crisis of his 36-year rule. The economy continues to struggle under tightened sanctions, while renewed protests have followed widespread unrest and a violent crackdown in January.
The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, is also expected to be in Geneva during the talks, as he was last week, for discussions with both delegations.
With military threats intensifying and diplomatic channels narrowing, Thursday’s meeting in Geneva is widely seen as a critical moment in efforts to prevent further escalation between Washington and Tehran.
