US and Iranian officials have begun a third round of indirect talks in Geneva, seen as a decisive diplomatic effort to prevent a wider conflict, as President Donald Trump has warned of possible military action if no nuclear deal is reached.
The negotiations, mediated by Badr Albusaidi, bring together Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US representatives, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. The meeting took place at the Omani ambassador’s residence in Geneva.
Albusaidi said both sides had shown “unprecedented openness to new and creative ideas and solutions”, raising cautious hopes for progress. However, he acknowledged that the outcome of the talks remains uncertain.
The discussions come amid heightened tensions, with the United States deploying thousands of additional troops, aircraft carriers, and warplanes to the Middle East. Trump has said he prefers diplomacy but has also warned he is considering limited strikes on Iran to pressure its leadership into accepting a deal.
At the heart of the dispute is Iran’s nuclear programme. Washington and its allies accuse Tehran of pursuing nuclear weapons, while Iran insists its activities are solely for peaceful purposes. Tehran has rejected US demands to completely halt uranium enrichment but has indicated it may consider limited concessions.
Trump said Iran must clearly commit to never developing nuclear weapons, while Araghchi stated that Iran would “under no circumstances” seek such arms, calling the current negotiations a “historic opportunity” to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
Iran is seeking relief from crippling economic sanctions in exchange for any restrictions, but major disagreements remain. Tehran has refused to negotiate limits on its ballistic missile programme or its support for regional allies.
The talks follow last year’s US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites during a conflict involving Israel, and analysts warn that failure to reach a deal could push the region closer to military confrontation. Both sides have signalled willingness to continue negotiations, but the path to a breakthrough remains unclear.
Source: BBC