The and reached an understanding in terms of the basic “guiding principles” during the second round of the Iranian however there is still a lot of work to be done, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi noted after the end of the talks in Geneva.
As he told Iranian media after the talks ended, the progress made does not mean that a deal is imminent, but that the way to it is now open. In addition to Abbas Araghchi, the American envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner participated in the Geneva talks, while the mediation was undertaken by Oman.
Iran makes clear it wants the US to stop threatening to use force
Among other things in his statements, Aragchi noted that “any explicit reference to the possibility of the use of force by the United States must be ended immediately and unconditionally”, but also that “Iran discussed the role that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) can play as a mediator between Iran and the US in the context of the talks held with the Organization in Geneva”.
According to him: “A new window of opportunity has opened and we are optimistic that the negotiations will lead to a sustainable and negotiated solution. Any lasting agreement must ensure full recognition of Iran’s legal rights.”
The rhetorical tension, but also in the field remain
Earlier, Iranian state media reported that Iran would proceed with a temporary partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global oil shipping route — while talks with the United States were held over its nuclear program. At the same time, Washington has sent a naval force to the Gulf region, putting pressure on Tehran to make concessions.
US President Donald Trump has said that “regime change” in Tehran may be the best thing that could happen, while Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday that any US attempt to topple his government would fail.
As talks began in Geneva, Iranian state media said parts of the strategic strait would be closed for a few hours due to “security measures” as the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps conducted military exercises in the area.
In the past, Tehran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping in the event of an attack, a move that could cut off about a fifth of the world’s oil flow and send crude prices soaring.
