The next round of diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran is scheduled for Thursday in Geneva, Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi confirmed on Sunday. The announcement came shortly after Iran’s top diplomat indicated he expects to meet with US envoy Steve Witkoff during the session.
Al-Busaidi expressed optimism on social media, stating he was “pleased to confirm the development, with a positive push to go the extra mile towards finalising the deal.” Oman has historically played a key role in facilitating indirect talks on Iran’s nuclear programme, including the most recent round held in Geneva last week.
While the White House has yet to comment, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told CBS that there remains a “good chance” for a diplomatic resolution, emphasizing that the talks are focused solely on the nuclear issue.
The US administration has been pressing for concessions from Iran while maintaining the largest US military presence in the Middle East in decades. President Donald Trump cautioned on Friday that limited strikes against Iran remain a possibility, even as Iran works to finalize a proposed deal.
Araghchi confirmed that Iran is still drafting its proposal, noting the country’s right to enrich uranium. He added that US officials had not demanded zero enrichment in the latest round—a detail that differs from public US statements. Both nations have indicated they are prepared for military action should negotiations fail.
Following Oman’s announcement, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian took to social media, highlighting that recent discussions included practical proposals and encouraging signals. He also emphasized vigilance, noting that Iran has prepared for any possible scenario.
The US maintains that Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons or the capacity to develop them, insisting on restrictions on uranium enrichment. Tehran, however, continues to assert that its nuclear programme is peaceful and that recent negotiations should focus solely on this issue. Despite past attacks on nuclear sites in June, Iran maintains it has not enriched uranium.
These talks follow years of stalemate after the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018. Since then, Iran has refused to negotiate broader demands from the US and Israel, including scaling back its missile programme or severing ties with armed groups.
This upcoming meeting in Geneva represents another critical moment in a high-stakes diplomatic effort, with the world watching closely as both nations navigate a path between negotiation and conflict. The outcome could shape not only regional security but global diplomacy for years to come.
