The U.S. and Iran are expected to hold their second round of talks about Iran’s nuclear programme on Tuesday in Geneva as the United States ramps up its military presence in the Middle East, and Iran holds large-scale maritime exercises.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to use force to compel Iran to agree to constrain its nuclear programme. Iran has said it would respond with an attack of its own. Trump has also threatened Iran over its deadly crackdown on recent nationwide protests.
The first round of talks on Feb. 6 was held in Oman, a sultanate on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, and was indirect, with SUVs flying the American flag entering the palace venue only after it appeared the Iranian officials had left. The arrangements for Tuesday’s round of negotiations were not clear.
Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were travelling for the new round of talks. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, visiting Budapest, Hungary, said Monday that the U.S. hopes to achieve a deal with Iran, despite the difficulties. “I’m not going to prejudge these talks,” Rubio said. “The president always prefers peaceful outcomes and negotiated outcomes to things.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is leading the talks for Iran, met with the head of the U.N. nuclear agency on Monday in Geneva.
“I am in Geneva with real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal,” Araghchi wrote on X. “What is not on the table: submission before threats.
Talking to reporters Monday night aboard Air Force One on his way to Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump said of the U.S.-Iran talks, “I’ll be involved in those talks—indirectly—and they’ll be very important, and we’ll see what can happen.” he said.
AP