Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi Tehran on Sunday afternoon for Geneva , Switzerland, leading a high-level diplomatic and technical delegation. The visit aims to launch the second round of nuclear and strategic talks with the United States, scheduled to be held indirectly on Tuesday through diplomatic mediation by Oman, as confirmed by the Iranian Foreign Ministry in an official statement.
Agenda of international talks and meetings
The Iranian Foreign Ministry clarified that Foreign Minister Araqchi's agenda in Geneva includes a series of intensive diplomatic consultations. In addition to indirect talks with the American side, Araqchi is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with his Swiss and Omani counterparts. The anticipated meeting with Rafael Grossi , Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is of particular importance given the ongoing technical disagreements surrounding Tehran's nuclear program and enrichment levels, as both sides seek common ground to prevent the matter from being referred to the UN Security Council.
Context of tension and historical background of negotiations
This round of talks is a continuation of negotiations that resumed in Muscat on February 6th, following a long hiatus and a near collapse of the diplomatic process after the 12-day war launched by Israel against Iran last June. These talks face complex geopolitical challenges, as both sides seek to break the deadlock that has plagued the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) for years, amidst sharp differences in vision. Tehran insists on limiting discussions to the nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions, while Washington and its European allies are pressing for the agreement to be expanded to include Iran's ballistic missile program and regional influence.
Military pressures and regional dimensions
This round of talks is taking place at a highly sensitive time, amid looming US military threats, exemplified by Washington's deployment of an aircraft carrier and its strike group to the region as a deterrent following the recent crackdown on protests in Iran. The US delegation is led by Middle East envoy Steve Wittkopf and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, indicating the administration's desire to achieve a diplomatic breakthrough or impose new, stringent conditions.
International observers believe that the failure of this round of talks could lead to a dangerous escalation in the Middle East, especially given the mutual threats and the overlapping security issues stretching from the Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea. Therefore, the Geneva talks are considered a last chance to de-escalate tensions and avoid scenarios of direct military confrontation that could destabilize the global economy and energy markets.
