Iran and the United States are preparing for a third round of indirect nuclear negotiations in Switzerland, even as Washington escalates pressure with fresh sanctions and warnings of possible military action.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva on Wednesday and met Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who is mediating the talks scheduled for Thursday. Before leaving Tehran, Araghchi said a “fair and balanced” deal was possible, stressing that Iran was not seeking nuclear weapons but would not give up its right to peaceful nuclear technology.
The talks unfold against a backdrop of mistrust, with both sides alternating between diplomacy and confrontation. In Washington, Vice President JD Vance accused Tehran of reviving its nuclear programme after US strikes last June, warning Iran to take military threats seriously. He said the US position was clear: Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon, though President Donald Trump preferred diplomacy while keeping other options open.
Meanwhile, the US Treasury announced sanctions on more than 30 individuals, companies and vessels linked to Iran’s oil exports, missile development and weapons production. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused Tehran of exploiting global financial systems to fund illicit activities and armed groups.
In his State of the Union address a day earlier, Trump accused Iran of pursuing “sinister nuclear ambitions” and developing missiles capable of hitting the US. Iranian officials rejected the claims, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei calling them “big lies” and likening Washington’s rhetoric to Nazi propaganda.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking from Saint Kitts and Nevis, said the Geneva talks would focus on Iran’s nuclear programme but also highlighted concerns over Tehran’s missile ambitions, which he claimed were aimed at intercontinental range. Iran’s refusal to include missiles in the negotiations, he said, was “a big problem.”
The state of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure remains unclear. While Trump has claimed last year’s strikes “obliterated” the programme, International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors have not been allowed to verify conditions at key sites such as Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.
On the US side, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner are leading the negotiations. The first round took place in Oman on 6 February, followed by a second session in Geneva on 17 February. After the last round, Araghchi said both sides had reached a preliminary understanding on broad principles but no concrete deal. Reports suggest major gaps remain, particularly over uranium enrichment and Iran’s demand for guarantees that sanctions will be lifted before concessions are made.
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that while Tehran was open to respectful diplomacy, any attack during talks would trigger a strong response. Iran has also threatened retaliation against US bases in the Middle East and closure of the Strait of Hormuz if struck.
US Central Command spokesman Tim Hawkins said Washington was reinforcing its military posture to deter escalation and protect its forces in the region.
Analysts say the US strategy combines tougher rhetoric and sanctions to gain leverage, aiming to push Iran to limit uranium enrichment and eventually its missile programme and regional activities, in exchange for economic relief.
