Iran and the United States conducted hours of indirect nuclear talks in Geneva on Thursday, in what is being viewed as a last-ditch diplomatic effort as the U.S. has deployed a fleet of aircraft and warships to the Middle East to pressure Tehran.
The negotiations, mediated by Oman, are the third round since last June’s 12-day war, when President Donald Trump ordered strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, effectively halting parts of Tehran’s program.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that a conflict would be catastrophic. “There would be no victory for anybody — it would be a devastating war,” he told India Today ahead of the talks. He stressed that American bases across the region would be considered legitimate targets, raising the risk of a wider regional conflict, including potential attacks on Israel.
Key participants in Thursday’s Geneva talks included Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special Middle East envoy, and Jared Kushner, also representing U.S. interests, meeting with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi. The Omani diplomat confirmed that discussions focused on Iran’s nuclear program, and the delegation planned to relay proposals to U.S. officials later in the day.
The U.S. delegation aims to halt Iran’s uranium enrichment entirely and curb Tehran’s ballistic missile program and regional militant support, while Iran insists that talks remain limited to nuclear issues. Satellite imagery and IAEA reports indicate that Iran has not restarted enrichment since last June but is assessing the damaged nuclear sites.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance emphasized, “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” noting that while diplomacy is preferred, military options remain on the table. The potential for U.S. military action has already increased regional tensions and oil prices, with Brent crude approaching $70 per barrel.
If talks fail, analysts warn that any strike could escalate into a full-scale regional war, potentially targeting U.S.-allied nations and disrupting global energy markets. American naval movements, including the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet in Bahrain, suggest heightened readiness as the situation develops.
