GENEVA: The United States and Iran are holding indirect talks in Geneva on Tuesday aimed at resolving their long-running nuclear dispute, with prospects for a breakthrough appearing uncertain amid heightened military tensions in the region.
According to sources, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are participating in the negotiations, which are being mediated by Oman, alongside Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.
US President Donald Trump said he would be involved “indirectly” in the Geneva talks and expressed belief that Tehran wanted to reach an agreement.
“I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, referring to previous US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
The negotiations come against the backdrop of rising tensions following military actions last year involving Israel and the United States against Iranian nuclear targets. Tehran has since stated that it has halted uranium enrichment activities, while Washington and its allies maintain concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
US officials indicated the military was preparing contingency plans for potential operations should diplomacy fail, while Iran has launched military drills in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route, prompting regional calls for diplomatic resolution.
The United States has sought to broaden discussions to include Iran’s missile programme, whereas Tehran has maintained it is willing only to negotiate limitations on its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, rejecting demands to end uranium enrichment entirely.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi met Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, in Geneva to discuss cooperation and technical aspects related to the negotiations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking during a visit to Hungary, said reaching an agreement with Iran would be difficult but diplomacy remained possible.
Sources also indicated that US officials participating in the Geneva discussions were scheduled to attend separate talks involving Russia and Ukraine later in the day, as Washington continues efforts to mediate an end to the ongoing conflict between the two countries.