GENEVA – A third round of indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States, mediated by Oman, concluded in Geneva on Thursday with both sides acknowledging substantial advancements. Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi characterized the talks as achieving “significant progress in the negotiation.”
The discussions, which commenced Thursday morning, featured high-level representation from both nations. Iran’s delegation was led by Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, while the U.S. contingent included Presidential Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former President Donald Trump.
Minister Albusaidi indicated that while delegations will return to their respective capitals for consultations, technical-level discussions are scheduled to resume next week in Vienna. In a public statement, he noted that both parties exhibited “unprecedented openness to new and creative ideas and solutions,” describing the ongoing efforts as intensive and constructive.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi echoed this optimism in remarks to state television, confirming that dialogues had entered serious phases concerning the elements of a potential agreement. He reported “very good progress” on both nuclear-related issues and the critical matter of sanctions relief, suggesting another round of talks could be convened within a week.
These diplomatic efforts unfold against a backdrop of escalating regional tensions, exacerbated by a recent U.S. military buildup in West Asia. The core of the negotiations remains a potential exchange: restrictions on Iran’s uranium enrichment activities and stockpiles in return for the alleviation of stringent U.S. sanctions.
The U.S. position, established during the Trump administration, continues to advocate for an indefinite and verifiable agreement designed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, coupled with warnings of potential military action should diplomacy prove futile. Conversely, Iran maintains that its nuclear program is purely peaceful and insists that discussions must focus on securing the removal of sanctions that have crippled its economy.