Iran-US Talks Enter Crucial Phase as Geneva Negotiations Yield Agreed Principles

Tuesday’s indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva marked a meaningful step in a delicate diplomatic process, with Tehran reporting the emergence of agreed guiding principles after what officials described as a constructive session. The announcement raised measured optimism that further progress could be achieved in a follow-up round expected within two weeks.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi, who led the Iranian delegation, said the second round of talks showed clear improvement over the first meeting held on February 6. He credited both sides with making genuine efforts to understand each other’s positions, even as he acknowledged that substantial gaps remain between the two parties.
The central issues under discussion included the future of Iran’s uranium enrichment activities, the status of its near-weapons-grade uranium stockpile, and the conditions under which UN inspectors could return to full operational capacity inside Iran. A key technical challenge is that recent US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites have left inspectors without a clear picture of remaining enrichment capacity.
The US side remained publicly silent following the talks, but reports indicated that Washington was pressing for Iran to halt all domestic enrichment — a demand Tehran has consistently and firmly rejected as incompatible with its national sovereignty. Iran’s proposal to dilute its enriched uranium stockpile and expand IAEA access represented what it considered a reasonable middle ground.
Throughout the day, tensions simmered on multiple fronts. Khamenei issued stark warnings to US warships in the region, and Iran’s navy announced exercises in the Strait of Hormuz. At home, the Iranian government faced mounting pressure over the violent suppression of protests, with the judiciary confirming that thousands of demonstrators faced trial.