Iran and the United States are preparing for another round of US Iran nuclear talks in Geneva next week. Switzerland confirmed that Oman will once again help host the indirect discussions.
The talks come at a sensitive time. Tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high.
After the first round earlier this month, President Donald Trump warned Iran that failing to reach a deal would have serious consequences. He has repeatedly said the United States could use force if needed.
The main issue in the US Iran nuclear talks is uranium enrichment. The Trump administration says Iran must stop enriching uranium under any future agreement.
Iran disagrees. Tehran says its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes.
Before last year’s conflict with Israel, Iran had enriched uranium up to 60 percent purity. That level is close to weapons-grade material, which worries Western countries.
Iran’s president has said the country is ready for verification. However, the United Nations nuclear watchdog has not been able to fully inspect Iran’s stockpile for several months.
Last year, similar talks broke down. Soon after, Israel launched a 12-day conflict with Iran, and the United States carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Iran says the Geneva talks should focus only on the nuclear program. But Israel wants the agreement to also cover Iran’s missile program and its support for regional groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
The new US Iran nuclear talks will again involve Iran’s foreign minister and a senior U.S. envoy. A top American military commander also attended the previous meeting.
The world is watching closely. These talks could reduce tensions — or push the region closer to another crisis.
