Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva for a second round of nuclear talks with the United States today, as tensions persist amid a US military buildup in the region. According to Tehran, the negotiations will be indirect and mediated by Oman. Washington has indicated it wants broader issues addressed, including Iran’s ballistic missile programme and its support for regional allies. The White House confirmed that US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will represent Washington in Geneva. Earlier on yesterday, Iran’s Foreign Minister met with the head of the UN nuclear watchdog agency.
Iran and the US renewed negotiations to tackle their decades-long dispute over Tehran’s nuclear programme and avert a new military confrontation as US warships, including a second aircraft carrier, are deploying to the region. While Washington has sought to expand the scope of talks to non-nuclear issues like Iran’s missile stockpile, Tehran says it is only willing to discuss curbs on its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief and won’t accept zero uranium enrichment. Iran says its nuclear programme is solely for civilian purposes and is ready to assuage concerns regarding nuclear weapons by building trust that enrichment is and will stay for peaceful purposes.
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