In what analysts may come to see as a pivotal moment in Iran-US nuclear diplomacy, Tuesday’s talks in Geneva produced an agreed set of guiding principles and a commitment to continue negotiations — a rarer outcome than it might seem given the history of failed talks between these two adversaries. Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi called it a positive day, while cautioning that much difficult work lay ahead.
The talks were held through Omani intermediaries, a trusted channel for sensitive Iran-US communications, and lasted approximately three and a half hours. They addressed the full scope of nuclear-related issues, from the enrichment of uranium to IAEA access, stockpile management, and the timeline for any potential constraints on Iran’s programme.
Iran came to the table with a substantive offer: diluting its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium, which sits near weapons-grade levels, and expanding cooperation with IAEA inspectors at nuclear sites that have been damaged by US military strikes. These proposals were framed as good-faith gestures demonstrating Iran’s genuine interest in a diplomatic resolution.
The US position remained more demanding. American negotiators reportedly pressed for Iran to give up all domestic uranium enrichment and to submit to sweeping IAEA verification — conditions that Iran has consistently described as unacceptable intrusions on its sovereign rights. Both sides agreed to exchange texts ahead of a third meeting planned for roughly two weeks’ time.
Meanwhile, the region remained on edge. Khamenei made veiled threats against US warships near Oman, and Iran announced partial closures of the Strait of Hormuz for naval exercises. Inside Iran, the judiciary confirmed tens of thousands of prosecutions linked to recent protests, and reformist politicians continued to face arrest — a reminder of how much more than just nuclear enrichment is at stake.