U.S. and Iran Launch Geneva Talks as Tehran Partially Closes Hormuz and Hints at Outline Deal

Overview

• White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are engaging indirectly with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi under Omani facilitation, after Araqchi held technical discussions with IAEA chief Rafael Grossi.
• Araqchi said the session was constructive and produced agreement on general parameters for a pact, with no date set for next steps and no U.S. readout yet.
• As negotiations opened, the IRGC ran naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian outlets announced temporary closures of sections for security during the exercises.
• President Donald Trump said he would be indirectly involved and warned of consequences if talks fail, as the U.S. bolstered its posture with the USS Abraham Lincoln nearby and the USS Gerald R. Ford redeployed.
• Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu urged dismantling Iran’s enrichment infrastructure and removal of enriched material, while Iranian officials suggested potential concessions on highly enriched uranium if sanctions are suspended.