Iran And US Set To Hold Talks In Geneva Amid Tensions

Washington: United States and Iran are due to meet in Geneva on Thursday for a third round of nuclear negotiations in Switzerland, as President Donald Trump threatens to strike Iran if a nuclear deal is not reached.

Where will talks happen?

The third round of indirect talks will begin in Geneva on Thursday even as the US imposed sweeping new sanctions and continues to build up its military presence in the Middle East.

On Wednesday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in the Swiss city of Geneva and later met his Omani counterpart, Badr Albusaidi.

The indirect talks scheduled for Thursday is facilitated by Badr Albusaidi.

The talks come amid the largest US military build-up in the Middle East, and Iran has also vowed to respond to an attack with force.

With chances of an agreement being unclear, the talks are seen as a last chance to prevent a conflict.

Who is presenting Iran's draft proposal?

Oman will present Iran’s draft proposal to US negotiating team. Oman has confirmed that FM Badr al-Busaidi has received "views and proposals" from Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi regarding the ongoing negotiations with the US.

According to the statement, al-Busaidi “is expected to meet with the American negotiating team this morning to convey the Iranian perspective and, in turn, listen to the ideas and proposals put forward by the American side”.

What did US say?

US President Donald Trump has said he prefers to solve the crisis through diplomacy, with also stating that he is considering a limited strike on Iran to pressure its leaders to accept a deal.

US Vice President JD Vance accused Iran of attempting to rebuild its nuclear programme after US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites last June

Vance also said that Tehran should take Washington’s threats of military action seriously.

“The principle is very simple: Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon. If they try to rebuild a nuclear weapon, that causes problems for us,” he told reporters at the White House. 

“In fact, we’ve seen evidence that they have tried to do exactly that.”

Vance went on to say that US President Donald Trump wanted to address “that problem diplomatically” but “has other options as well”.

Iran so far has not commented on Vance’s comments.