Start of the Third Round of American-Iranian Negotiations in Geneva

SadaNews - The third round of indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran began today, Thursday, in the city of Geneva, amidst ongoing American military buildup in the Middle East and escalating mutual warnings of a potential slip into military confrontation.

The Omani Foreign Ministry announced the launch of the new round under Muscat's sponsorship, confirming that Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi held consultative meetings in Geneva, including a meeting with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi, to discuss the technical aspects related to the Iranian nuclear file and "new ideas" proposed on the negotiating table.

In this context, the Iranian news agency "Fars" reported the official start of the talks, noting that the Iranian delegation is headed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while the American delegation includes special envoys Steve Winikoff and Jared Kushner. The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that Tehran enters the round "seriously and flexibly," and that the negotiations focus on the "nuclear issue," with expectations that the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency will join the consultations.

The Iranian President Masoud Bezhakian confirmed before the start of the round that his country does not seek "at all" to possess nuclear weapons, adding that the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had previously declared this position clearly. In contrast, American President Donald Trump accused Tehran of continuing its "evil" nuclear ambitions, reiterating that his country will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, although he emphasized a preference for a diplomatic solution.

The Omani Foreign Ministry had clarified that Al-Busaidi discussed with Araghchi on Wednesday evening the "views and proposals" that the Iranian side would present during the third round, without disclosing details, as the Omani minister is expected to convey these proposals to the American delegation within the framework of the ongoing mediation.

Alongside the diplomatic track, Politico reported that senior advisers to Trump prefer that Israel initiate an attack on Iran before any direct American intervention, in the event of a conflict. According to the report, this scenario is seen as potentially leading to an Iranian response that would help rally American domestic support for any subsequent military action.

The report indicated that recent polls show broad support, particularly among Republicans, for taking a hard stance towards Iran, while still having reservations about engaging in a large-scale war. According to Politico, Trump's team is considering how to align any potential action with the general American mood and reduce political and military costs.

The disagreements between the two sides center on the scope of a possible agreement. Washington demands a complete halt to uranium enrichment activities, transferring the enriched stockpile outside Iran, including the ballistic missile program in the understanding, and discussing Iran's regional role. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Iran's refusal to discuss its missile program represents a "very big problem."

In contrast, Tehran insists on limiting negotiations to the nuclear file and demands the lifting of economic sanctions in exchange for imposing restrictions on its program, asserting that its nuclear program is peaceful. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baqai described U.S. accusations regarding the development of intercontinental missiles as "major lies."

This round comes after the resumption of talks on February 6 of this year, following a halt after the war that broke out in June 2025, which lasted for 12 days, during which the United States participated in bombing nuclear sites inside Iran. Amidst the ongoing American military buildup, both sides affirm their openness to dialogue, while keeping the option of force on the table, making the outcomes of the current round open to all possibilities.