US, Iran to hold second nuclear talks in Geneva next week

The United States and Iran are expected to hold a second round of nuclear talks in Geneva on February 17, as both sides seek to revive diplomacy and prevent a potential military confrontation, according to a U.S. official and three sources familiar with the matter speaking to Axios.

U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled a preference for a diplomatic resolution but has simultaneously ordered a significant military buildup in the Gulf region, including the deployment of a second aircraft carrier strike group.

“Either we will make a deal, or we will have to do something very tough like last time,” Trump told Axios on February 10.

According to the sources, the U.S. delegation will include Trump’s senior adviser Jared Kushner and White House envoy Steve Witkoff. The Iranian side is expected to be led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Badr al-Busaidi, Oman’s foreign minister, is expected to attend the talks as a mediator between Washington and Tehran.

Behind the scenes, a U.S. official said that earlier this week Witkoff spoke with the Omani foreign minister and conveyed several messages regarding the nuclear negotiations intended for Iranian officials. Following the conversation, Badr al-Busaidi prepared a document outlining the U.S. positions and delivered it to Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, during Larijani’s visit to Muscat on February 3.

Larijani later confirmed in an interview on Iranian state television that he had received the document containing U.S. messages.

Speaking to reporters on February 13, Trump said any potential agreement with Iran must require zero uranium enrichment inside the country. He added that although Iranian officials have expressed interest in negotiations, they have yet to demonstrate concrete action regarding their nuclear programme.

When asked whether he supports regime change in Iran, Trump said it “seems like that would be the best thing that could happen.”

By Sabina Mammadli