Geneva – Negotiations between the United States and Iran over Iran’s nuclear program entered a critical phase Thursday, with Iranian officials stating a deal is possible if the U.S. Maintains commitments made in prior, indirect talks. Those commitments center on allowing Iran to enrich uranium, dilute its existing stockpile within the country, and avoiding restrictions on its ballistic missile program.
The talks, held in Geneva, come amid uncertainty surrounding the position of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has previously signaled a willingness to abandon diplomatic efforts. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, before departing for Geneva, emphasized Iran’s desire for “a fair and just agreement in the shortest possible time,” reiterating that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons but will not relinquish its right to peaceful nuclear technology.
According to Iranian officials, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, had previously indicated acceptance of these core principles during earlier rounds of negotiations. However, the possibility remains that Trump could reverse course, a move Iranian diplomats warn could escalate tensions and destabilize the Middle East.
A proposal presented by Witkoff and Kushner last week reportedly asked Iran to limit uranium enrichment to below 5% purity, a level consistent with the 2015 nuclear deal. A source with knowledge of the Iranian negotiating team expressed surprise at the relatively lenient terms, noting the lack of immediate offers for sanctions relief or the restoration of diplomatic ties. The source indicated that the next phase of negotiations would focus on a gradual lifting of sanctions and the establishment of ongoing dialogue.
During a State of the Union address delivered early Thursday Tehran time, President Trump adopted a more hawkish tone, warning about Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities and accusing the nation of being the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. He also repeated claims that Iran had not committed to abandoning its pursuit of nuclear weapons and alleged that 32,000 demonstrators had been killed by Iranian authorities during recent protests.
Trump further stated that Iran had disregarded a warning not to rebuild its nuclear weapons program following U.S. Strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last June, claiming, “We wiped it out and they want to start all over again.”
Despite Trump’s rhetoric, some members of the U.S. Congress have questioned the require for further military action. Following a briefing with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jim Himes, a senior Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, stated, “We have not heard a single compelling reason why now is a time to start another war in the Middle East.”
The presence of Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), at the Geneva talks alongside Omani mediators is seen by Iran as a positive sign. Grossi’s authority to verify Iran’s compliance with any agreement regarding enrichment levels is considered crucial.
Araghchi emphasized Iran’s right to enrichment in a recent interview with CBS News, stating, “enrichment is our right… this technology is dear to us.” The U.S. Has not clarified whether its demand for zero enrichment within Iran would extend to enrichment for medical purposes.
Hamzeh Safavi, a professor of political science at Tehran University, told the Iranian newspaper Entekhab that Iran might accept “symbolic enrichment” but would likely not agree to complete cessation. He stressed the importance of maintaining the right to enrich uranium and preventing it from becoming a bargaining chip.
Iran has previously agreed to suspend enrichment activities. In 2003, then-Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Hassan Rouhani, agreed with France, Germany, and the UK to suspend all uranium enrichment and processing and allow snap inspections by the IAEA.
The Iranian negotiating team is expected to present specific proposals in Geneva, seeking irreversible sanctions relief, including the release of frozen Iranian assets held abroad. As of Wednesday, protests continued at Iranian universities for a fifth day, nearly two months after initial demonstrations against the regime began.
