Negotiations Resume Today.. US-Iran Talks Halt for Hours for Consultations

SadaNews - The ongoing round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva halted on Thursday after just a few hours of commencement, to allow for consultations between the two delegations. The Omani mediator indicated a exchange of "constructive and positive ideas", with expectations for the sessions to resume later amid hopes of making progress.

A convoy believed to be carrying US diplomats left the Omani diplomatic mission in Geneva, the venue for the negotiations between the Iranian and American delegations.

Axios reported from informed sources that US President Donald Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, held over three hours of negotiations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.

The sources noted that the third round was held in two formats: directly between the two sides and indirectly through Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who undertook the task of conveying messages.

Sources added that the Iranians presented their anticipated draft for a nuclear agreement, while al-Busaidi and the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, participated in the meetings.

Al-Busaidi stated on the "X" platform that the US and Iranian negotiators exchanged "constructive and positive ideas" during today's Geneva talks, indicating that both sides decided to suspend the session for a break, with plans to resume it later, expressing hope for further progress.

At the start of the third round, the Omani Foreign Ministry clarified that "the meeting reviewed the viewpoints and proposals of the Iranian side, alongside responses and inquiries from the US negotiating team regarding addressing the key elements of Iran’s nuclear program and the necessary guarantees for reaching a comprehensive agreement encompassing all technical and supervisory aspects".

It quoted al-Busaidi as saying: "Efforts are ongoing diligently and in a constructive spirit, with negotiators open to new ideas and solutions in an unprecedented manner, and creating supportive conditions for progress towards a fair agreement with sustainable guarantees".

Al-Busaidi also met with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN body tasked with monitoring nuclear activities. The Omani diplomat showed positive signs in response to a question about his optimism regarding the talks. Oman later published photos of Witkoff and Kushner during their meeting with the mediator, indicating the start of negotiations.

In the same context, Iranian state television reported that the ongoing round was halted for several hours for consultations, and would resume later in accordance with local time in Geneva.

For its part, the official IRNA agency stated that the negotiations lasted two and a half hours before announcing the temporary halt, confirming that "the Iranian delegation is closely monitoring the negotiations with the utmost precision and realism derived from past experiences".

The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated, "We held intensive negotiations for nearly 3 hours in the presence of the Omani Foreign Minister and the Director of the Nuclear Agency, and we will resume negotiations in Geneva around 6 PM local time."

It added: "The US and Iranian negotiating teams seriously presented their viewpoints, and there are conflicting statements from some US officials raising doubts about their seriousness."

It continued: "Our positions are steadfast, and today’s discussions are serious, and we hope for their continuation in the evening regarding the nuclear issue and lifting sanctions. We have presented important and practical proposals and initiatives regarding the nuclear file and lifting sanctions."