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U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks Conclude with “Significant Progress,” Next Round Set for Vienna
Diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran wrapped up in Geneva on Thursday, with officials citing “significant progress” as they announced plans to reconvene in Vienna within days for technical-level discussions.
Despite senior U.S. officials describing the third round of talks as “positive,” Iranian state television reported that Tehran will continue uranium enrichment and has rejected proposals to transfer nuclear material abroad. According to The Associated Press, Iranian media also indicated the country will push for the lifting of international sanctions, suggesting Iran is not prepared to meet President Donald Trump’s core demands.
The negotiations were primarily conducted indirectly, with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi serving as mediator between the two sides. Following the three-hour session, al-Busaidi confirmed the conclusion of this round on social media platform X.
“We have finished the day after significant progress in the negotiation between the United States and Iran,” al-Busaidi wrote. “We will resume soon after consultation in the respective capitals. Discussions on a technical level will take place next week in Vienna.”
Neither U.S. nor Iranian officials immediately released public statements after the meeting, which took place amid growing international concern about Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
The U.S. delegation included Trump’s special Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, who met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi also participated in the discussions, during which Iranian officials reportedly presented a draft proposal for a potential nuclear agreement.
The fundamental gap between the two nations remains significant. Iran has consistently maintained its right to enrich uranium and appears unwilling to negotiate on other critical issues, including its long-range missile program and support for armed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, which the U.S. designates as terrorist organizations.
President Trump, meanwhile, has emphasized his determination to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. In his State of the Union address on February 24, Trump stated his preference for a diplomatic solution while drawing a clear red line: “My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy, but one thing is certain: I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon. Can’t let that happen.”
As the Geneva talks progressed, Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, wrote on X that if the primary U.S. concern is preventing nuclear weapons, that position “aligns” with Khamenei’s fatwa (religious edict) and Iran’s defensive doctrine. Shamkhani added that Foreign Minister Araghchi possesses “sufficient support and authority” to reach a final agreement.
These diplomatic efforts are unfolding as the United States continues reinforcing its military presence in the Middle East, deploying aircraft carriers and additional warships to the region. The positioning of these assets underscores the high stakes of the negotiations and the administration’s preparation for alternative scenarios should diplomacy fail.
The talks represent a critical juncture in U.S.-Iran relations, which have been strained since Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal during his first term and reimposed sanctions as part of a “maximum pressure” campaign. Market analysts note that any breakthrough could potentially ease oil prices, which have been affected by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Regional experts caution that while the reported progress is encouraging, significant obstacles remain before any comprehensive agreement can be reached. The upcoming technical discussions in Vienna will likely focus on specific verification mechanisms and timelines for potential sanctions relief, should the broader framework advance.
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10 Comments
The US-Iran nuclear negotiations continue to be a delicate balancing act. Iran’s unwillingness to meet Trump’s core demands suggests they have leverage in these discussions.
This is an important development in the ongoing US-Iran nuclear negotiations. Iran’s stance on continuing uranium enrichment and pushing for sanctions relief indicates they are not willing to back down easily.
The next round of talks in Vienna will be crucial in determining the path forward. Both sides will need to show flexibility and a willingness to find common ground.
Interesting development. It seems Iran is not willing to fully comply with Trump’s demands despite the reported progress in the negotiations. Curious to see how this will unfold going forward.
Agreed, the negotiations appear to have reached an impasse. Iran is firmly committed to its uranium enrichment program and lifting of sanctions, which clashes with the US position.
It’s interesting to see Iran holding firm on its positions despite the reported progress. This highlights the challenges in reaching a comprehensive agreement on the nuclear issue.
The upcoming Vienna talks will be crucial in determining whether the US and Iran can find a mutually acceptable compromise. Maintaining open channels of communication will be key.
The nuclear talks between the US and Iran continue to be a complex and delicate diplomatic process. Iran’s rejection of Trump’s core demands suggests they have a strong negotiating position.
It will be crucial for both sides to find a compromise that addresses the concerns of all parties involved. Maintaining open communication channels seems vital at this stage.
The progress made in the negotiations is encouraging, but Iran’s rejection of Trump’s demands suggests a continued impasse. Resolving this complex issue will require nuanced diplomacy from all parties involved.