Iran, US Conclude Second Round of Indirect Nuclear Talks in Geneva

The latest round of indirect diplomacy between Tehran and Washington ended Tuesday after more than four hours of negotiations focused on technical aspects of Iran’s nuclear programme and the potential easing of sanctions.

Indirect Format Maintained in Geneva

The negotiations were held at the Omani Embassy, with Oman continuing its role as intermediary. Both sides exchanged written notes rather than meeting face-to-face, maintaining the indirect format established in earlier contacts.

The Iranian delegation was led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while the US side was headed by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner. Prior to the indirect exchanges, both delegations met separately with Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi.

According to Iranian state media, experts in nuclear, legal and economic affairs participated in the discussions, underscoring the technical focus of this phase.

Sanctions Relief and Nuclear Constraints at the Core

The talks centered on the terms under which Tehran would constrain its nuclear activities under the supervision of the UN nuclear watchdog, widely understood to refer to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Iranian officials reiterated that meaningful sanctions relief remains a central demand. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei confirmed that the issue of lifting US sanctions was discussed in detail.

Sources indicated that both sides presented practical proposals on technical matters, though some reports suggest gaps remain, particularly over the sequencing and scope of sanctions removal.

The first round of this renewed diplomatic track was held earlier this month in Muscat, marking the resumption of engagement more than eight months after diplomacy stalled following last year’s Iran-Israel conflict.

Military Posturing Shadows Diplomacy

The negotiations unfolded amid intensified military signaling. US President Donald Trump said he was closely following the talks and expressed confidence that Iran wants a deal, while also highlighting the expanded US naval presence in the region.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei responded to reports of US warships operating near Oman by warning that while warships are dangerous, “more dangerous than a warship is a weapon that can send it to the bottom of the sea.”

On the same day as the talks, Iran announced temporary restrictions in parts of the Strait of Hormuz to conduct live-fire naval exercises, further underscoring the fragile security environment surrounding the diplomatic effort.

Talks Conclude with Agreed Guiding Principles

Following the second round of indirect nuclear talks in Geneva, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the two sides reached a general understanding on how negotiations will proceed.

“We reached a general agreement on a set of guiding principles,” Araghchi stated after the meeting.

He added that while differences remain, both sides now have a structured framework for continued discussions.

“Both sides still have positions that will take time to bring closer together, but we now have a set of guiding principles under which we are proceeding,” he said.

The remarks suggest that although substantive gaps persist between Tehran and Washington, the talks have moved into a more formalized phase, with mutually acknowledged principles shaping the next stage of negotiations.

Next Steps

Both delegations are expected to return to their respective capitals for consultations before reconvening at a later date. While no breakthrough was announced, the continuation of structured, expert-level engagement suggests that both sides are testing pathways toward a potential framework agreement — even as political mistrust and regional tensions persist.