Against a backdrop of naval buildup, veiled military threats, and domestic political turmoil, diplomats from Iran and the United States managed on Tuesday to find common ground on a set of guiding principles for future nuclear talks. The indirect negotiations, held in Geneva through Omani intermediaries, lasted about three and a half hours and ended with cautious optimism on the Iranian side.
Foreign Minister Araghchi said the second round of talks was measurably more constructive than the first, and that both sides were now prepared to exchange draft texts ahead of a third meeting expected in approximately two weeks. He acknowledged, however, that the path to a final deal would be neither quick nor straightforward.
The substantive issues at the core of the talks included Iran’s stockpile of 60% enriched uranium, the restoration of full IAEA inspector access, and the permissible scope of Iranian domestic enrichment going forward. Iran offered to dilute its near-weapons-grade uranium and expand IAEA oversight — moves it framed as significant confidence-building steps rather than concessions.
The US demand that Iran cease all domestic uranium enrichment remained a central point of contention, with Tehran flatly refusing to accept this as a condition of any deal. Iran also made clear that its ballistic missile programme and its ties to regional allies would not be subject to negotiation under any circumstances.
Tensions extended beyond the negotiating table. Khamenei threatened US warships in the Gulf region while Iran announced naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz. Inside Iran, the day was heavy with grief as tens of thousands participated in mourning ceremonies for protesters killed in recent unrest, and the judiciary reported over 10,000 individuals summoned for trial.