Oman confirms third round of Iran-US nuclear talks set for Thursday in Geneva

Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi confirmed that the third round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States will take place on Thursday in Geneva.

Albusaidi said in a post on X that the negotiations are scheduled for this Thursday in Geneva, with positive efforts underway to take bigger steps toward finalizing an agreement. He is acting as a mediator in the indirect talks between Tehran and Washington.

The first round of talks was held 16 days ago in Muscat, Oman's capital. The second round, also mediated by Oman, concluded last Thursday in Geneva, Switzerland. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated afterward that Tehran and Washington had reached a common understanding on key guiding principles but that more efforts are needed for a final outcome.

Araghchi expressed readiness to establish a "full supervision mechanism" to ensure the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program, emphasizing Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy including enrichment, which he linked to national pride. He affirmed Iran's commitment to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump, have insisted on zero enrichment by Iran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated any deal must address Iran's ballistic missiles and regional role, which Araghchi said falls outside the current talks framework. Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy leading the U.S. side, remarked that Trump is curious why Iran has not yet "surrendered" its program amid U.S. naval pressure in the region. Araghchi responded on X: "Curious why we don't surrender? Because we are Iranian."

Trump warned that failure to reach a deal could lead to "really bad things happening," while the U.S. continues to bolster its military presence in the Middle East, raising concerns over potential wider conflict. Araghchi expressed hope that a potential agreement could surpass the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.