Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva on Monday for a second round of indirect nuclear negotiations with the United States, scheduled for Tuesday. The talks will be mediated by Oman, with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner representing the American side. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi stated Tehran is willing to discuss its nuclear program if the US agrees to lift sanctions, emphasizing that negotiations must be "give and take." He indicated that zero uranium enrichment is no longer under discussion from Iran's perspective, and mentioned Iran's willingness to consider diluting its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity.
Before the talks, Araghchi met with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi for technical discussions about Iran's nuclear facilities. The IAEA has been seeking access to sites bombed by the US and Israel during a 12-day conflict in June 2025, but Iran has cited safety concerns and implemented a new protocol requiring negotiated access for each inspection visit. The US has deployed additional military assets to the region, including ordering a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East. Iran simultaneously began military drills in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. President Trump has stated he prefers a diplomatic solution but has not ruled out military action, and made comments suggesting regime change in Iran would be positive.
