The pressure on both Iran and the United States to achieve a nuclear agreement has rarely been more acute, as a combination of military buildup, economic sanctions, regional instability, and domestic political crises converges on Tuesday’s indirect talks in Geneva. The second round of negotiations, facilitated by Oman, ended with agreement on guiding principles — a positive result, though one that leaves the hardest issues untouched.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi emerged from three and a half hours of talks to describe the session as constructive and to announce that both delegations would exchange draft texts before meeting again in about two weeks. He acknowledged that the two sides remained far apart on key issues but expressed confidence that the process was moving in the right direction.
The talks addressed Iran’s nuclear activities in considerable technical detail. Iran offered to dilute its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium, cooperate more fully with IAEA inspectors, and potentially suspend enrichment for a period — though the duration of any suspension remained an open question given the physical damage to Iranian nuclear infrastructure. The US demanded more: specifically, a complete halt to all domestic enrichment, which Iran refuses.
Iran also used Tuesday’s talks to reinforce its broader diplomatic package, which includes a non-aggression pact with the US and an economic prosperity plan — elements designed to give the Trump administration political cover for agreeing to a deal that falls short of total Iranian nuclear disarmament.
Regionally, the situation remained volatile. The US naval buildup near Oman continued apace, Khamenei issued military threats, and Iran conducted exercises in the Strait of Hormuz. Inside the country, the crisis stemming from the recent protests deepened, with over 10,000 people summoned for trial and widespread reports of due process violations.