Geneva (Exclusive Report) The United States and Iran are preparing for a third round of nuclear negotiations in Geneva this Thursday, as diplomatic engagement continues alongside mounting military pressure and cautious optimism from both sides.
The talks, mediated by Oman, come at a critical moment for regional stability and the future of Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr Albusaidi, confirmed that US-Iran negotiations are scheduled to take place in Geneva, expressing hope for a “positive push” toward finalising a deal.
Oman has been facilitating indirect talks between Washington and Tehran amid heightened concerns of a broader military confrontation between the long-time adversaries.
Tensions have escalated in recent weeks, with US President Donald Trump warning that “really bad things will happen” if no agreement is reached over Iran’s nuclear activities.
The United States has also reinforced its military presence in the Middle East, signaling readiness to escalate if diplomacy fails.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian struck a cautiously optimistic tone, stating that recent diplomatic exchanges had produced “encouraging signals.”
However, he emphasized that Tehran remains prepared for “any potential scenario,” reflecting the fragile balance between negotiation and confrontation.
Leading the US delegation is President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who said the US president is “curious” about why Iran has not yet agreed to curb its nuclear programme.
Witkoff noted that Iran has enriched uranium to 60 percent purity — a level significantly above civilian nuclear requirements — and warned that the country could be “a week away” from industrial-grade weapons material.Iran has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi responded sharply to US remarks, stating on social media: “Curious to know why we do not capitulate? Because we are Iranian.”
In a separate interview, Araqchi maintained that a diplomatic solution remains within reach if mutual respect guides the process.
According to diplomatic sources cited by Reuters, Tehran is considering fresh concessions, including sending half of its highly enriched uranium stockpile abroad and diluting the remainder.
In exchange, Iran is demanding substantial sanctions relief and formal recognition of its right to peaceful nuclear enrichment under international law.
However, significant obstacles remain. Washington has reportedly sought to broaden the negotiations beyond the nuclear file to include Iran’s ballistic missile programme and its support for regional armed groups.
Tehran has publicly rejected expanding the agenda, although sources suggest there may be limited flexibility regarding regional policies — but not on missile capabilities.
Another sticking point is the scope and mechanism of lifting economic sanctions.
Iranian officials have indicated that disagreements persist over how and when sanctions would be removed, underscoring the complexity of reaching a comprehensive agreement.
In a related development, Witkoff revealed that he met with Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi at President Trump’s direction.
Pahlavi, the son of the late Shah who was ousted during Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, has been a prominent voice among segments of Iran’s opposition movement.
He has previously urged Washington to avoid prolonged negotiations with Tehran’s clerical leadership and suggested that external pressure could accelerate political change.
The upcoming Geneva talks are seen as pivotal. Previous indirect negotiations failed to produce an agreement, largely due to US demands that Iran cease uranium enrichment on its own soil — a condition Tehran considers unacceptable.
Meanwhile, recent US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have further complicated the diplomatic landscape.
As both sides enter this third round of talks, the stakes are high.
A breakthrough could ease regional tensions and avert further military escalation, while failure may deepen instability across the Middle East.
For now, diplomacy remains active, but the balance between negotiation and confrontation continues to shape the trajectory of US-Iran relations.