Geneva (TDI): The United States and Iran are preparing for another round of indirect negotiations in Switzerland on Thursday, as both sides seek to reduce rising tensions that have brought the region close to renewed confrontation.
The talks in Geneva follow weeks of sharp rhetoric and a significant US military buildup in the Middle East. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that Washington could resort to military action if diplomacy fails.
In his State of the Union address earlier this week, Trump accused Tehran of harboring dangerous nuclear intentions. He also claimed that Iran already possesses missile technology capable of striking Europe and US military installations abroad, while working on systems that could eventually reach American territory.
Iran swiftly rejected the accusations, with its foreign ministry dismissing them as false and exaggerated. According to publicly released Iranian data, the country’s missiles have a maximum range of about 2,000 kilometers. US assessments place that figure closer to 3,000 kilometers, still far short of reaching the continental United States.
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Although Iran’s nuclear activities remain the central issue, Washington is also pressing Tehran to address its ballistic missile program and its backing of regional armed groups opposed to Israel. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran’s refusal to discuss missiles represents a serious obstacle, even as he emphasized that the White House still prefers a diplomatic outcome.
Iran, however, has made clear that negotiations should remain limited to nuclear matters and has insisted that any agreement must include the lifting of US sanctions that have severely damaged its economy.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian struck a cautiously optimistic tone on Wednesday, saying the talks could help end the prolonged state of tension he described as “neither war nor peace.”
Leading Iran’s delegation is Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who has called the discussions a rare and historic chance to reach an understanding. He warned, however, that success depends on the other side acting consistently and in good faith.
The US delegation includes envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law.
Earlier rounds of talks were held this month in Oman, which continues to act as a mediator, before moving to Geneva last week. A previous diplomatic effort collapsed last year after Israel launched surprise strikes on Iranian targets, triggering a brief but intense conflict that drew in the United States.
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Tensions rose again in January following Iran’s harsh crackdown on widespread protests, prompting Trump to issue fresh warnings about possible intervention in support of the Iranian population.
