Oman Says Third Round of U.S.-Iran Talks Is Set for Geneva on Thursday

Oman’s foreign minister confirmed Sunday that a third round of indirect U.S.-Iran talks will take place in Geneva on Thursday, according to PBS NewsHour (relaying the Associated Press), CNBC and Al Jazeera. Badr al-Busaidi, whose country has been mediating between the two sides, said he was “pleased to confirm” the date, and Ynetnews reported he hoped the round would give “a positive push toward another step to conclude the deal.”

Oman hosted earlier indirect talks and facilitated the most recent round in Geneva the previous week, PBS and CNBC reported. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told CBS News there is a “good chance” of a diplomatic solution on the nuclear issue and that he expects to meet U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in Geneva, according to PBS. Iran is still drafting a proposal, which Araghchi said would be ready within days.

The sides remain apart. The United States says Iran cannot have nuclear weapons or the capacity to build them and cannot enrich uranium, PBS and CNBC reported. Araghchi says Iran has a right to enrich, and he has said U.S. counterparts did not ask for zero enrichment, which U.S. officials have not said publicly. Iran also refuses to discuss its missile program or support for armed groups, which the United States and Israel want addressed. Ynetnews similarly reported that Iran would accept significant nuclear limits but rejects a complete ban on enrichment.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the recent exchanges produced “encouraging signals,” while adding that Tehran has made preparations for any scenario, as PBS, CNBC and The Jerusalem Post reported.

President Trump has warned that limited strikes against Iran are possible, PBS and CNBC said, and both outlets described the American military buildup as the largest presence in the Middle East in decades. Ynetnews reported that Trump has given Iran “10 to 15 days” to reach an agreement, and that Witkoff said the deployment is the largest in the region since the 2003 Iraq invasion, including two aircraft carriers, and that Trump is curious why Iran has not capitulated. Al Jazeera likewise quoted Trump as saying Iran has “10, 15 days, pretty much, maximum,” and quoted him saying he was considering limited military action.

The Jerusalem Post reported that Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to meet Araghchi in Geneva and that Israeli officials assess the chances of a deal as slim. Ynetnews said Israel fears Washington could accept a narrower, nuclear-only agreement.

Iran says it has not enriched uranium since the U.S. and Israeli strikes in June, PBS and CNBC noted, though the extent of the damage is unclear because Tehran has barred international inspectors. In Iran, students have demonstrated at universities around memorials for people killed in a January crackdown, according to PBS, CNBC and Ynetnews. Rights groups cite at least 7,000 deaths, while the government reports 3,117, and the AP said it could not independently verify either figure.