Significant progress made in Iran-US nuclear talks in Geneva

 Iran and the United States made headway in their latest round of negotiations on Tehran's nuclear programme on Thursday as delegations from both countries met in Geneva amid an increased US military build-up in the Middle East.

Although the talks ended without a breakthrough, Washington and Tehran made “significant progress” in their third round of negotiations, according to Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Bussaidi. “We will resume soon after consultation in the respective capitals,” he added.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also told reporters afterwards that further progress was made and “technical talks” are planned to begin on Monday.

If these take place, the details of a possible agreement are likely to be negotiated.

“Perhaps the seriousness of reaching an agreement was more visible than before,” the minister said, referring to the third round of talks.

Time is needed for consultations with the governments in the capitals and to prepare some documents. “It was the best and most serious round,” Araghchi added.

The negotiations concern Iran's controversial nuclear program as Washington seeks to prevent the leadership in Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.

The Iranian government denies any such intentions, but is willing to limit its nuclear programme, and demands in return that the US lift crippling economic sanctions.

On Wednesday, Iran submitted a first draft of a new agreement, though details were not disclosed.

'Determined' start

The talks were again mediated by the Gulf state of Oman and held at the Omani residence in the Swiss city.

A team led by Araghchi negotiated for Iran, while the US side was represented by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump.

Earlier, Al-Busaidi described participants as "determined" and the atmosphere as "constructive."

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, was also participating after holding preparatory talks with Araghchi last week.

Tehran has drawn several red lines in the talks, refusing to fully dismantle its uranium enrichment infrastructure and considers its missile programme non-negotiable, viewing it as its main deterrent capability.

Iran also rejects discussions on ending support for regional militant groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon.

In return for nuclear concessions, Tehran is demanding relief from severe economic sanctions that have largely cut the country off from global financial markets, deterred investment and contributed to a deep economic crisis that has eroded the middle class and pushed parts of the population towards poverty.

Risk of regional war

Beyond sanctions relief, Iran's leadership is also seeking to avert the risk of war, after Washington dramatically increased its military presence in the region and Trump repeatedly floating the option of striking Iran if no agreement is reached.

A week ago, Trump issued an ultimatum to Tehran, setting a 10–15 day deadline. "We're either going to get a deal or it's going to be unfortunate for them," he said, warning that otherwise "bad things" could happen.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has threatened a "comprehensive war" if Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were targeted. Khamenei himself warned that any US-initiated conflict would turn into a regional war, while insisting Iran does not seek one.

Failure to reach a breakthrough at the negotiating table could increase the likelihood of military confrontation.

In recent weeks, the United States has deployed two aircraft carriers, dozens of fighter jets and support aircraft to the Middle East - reportedly the largest US air force build-up in the region since the 2003 Iraq War.

Switzerland, the host of the talks, is regarded by Tehran as a neutral intermediary and represents US interests in Iran, where Washington has no diplomatic mission.

Iran cites civilian focus

The Iranian government says its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes only, pointing to a religious decree by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prohibiting the construction and use of weapons of mass destruction such as nuclear bombs.

But critics fear Iran has enriched uranium to a purity of 60% in recent years. Western sources say Iran is the only country in the world without its own nuclear bombs that has such highly enriched uranium.

Further enrichment to around 90% would be necessary for the construction of nuclear weapons.

Grossi has also been critical of Iran's nuclear programme and has called for better access to the country. His concerns include the handling of the highly enriched uranium remaining in the country, the future of the central nuclear facilities bombed last year, and future nuclear activities in Iran, which are to be monitored by the IAEA.

Trump ended 2015 agreement in 2018

Trump ended the previous nuclear agreement with Iran in 2015, when Iran had committed to restricting its nuclear programme and sanctions were to be lifted in return, in what was known as the Vienna agreement.

It was negotiated under Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama, and Trump unilaterally terminated the agreement in 2018, during his first term, and imposed new and tougher sanctions on Iran. Tehran then also stopped complying with the terms of the accord.

Usrael's attacks on Iran in summer 2025 further disrupted the situation in the region. Israel bombed targets across Iran, and Iran responded by firing ballistic missiles at Israel. Civilian areas in both countries also came under fire.

The US intervened a week later, targetting Iranian enrichment facilities in Natanz and Fordo and a nuclear facility in Isfahan. Trump said the facilities had been the completely destroyed.

That war began unexpectedly just a day before the sixth round of negotiations was due to begin between Iran and the US - greatly reducing Iranian confidence in the prospect of talks with the administration in Washington.