Overview
- The third round of indirect negotiations opened in Geneva with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi participating, according to Oman.
- Iran has presented via the mediator a draft that would suspend enrichment for three to four years, permit only ~1.5% enrichment thereafter, dispose of about 400 kg of enriched uranium, and allow IAEA oversight, according to Iranian statements and media reports.
- Washington is pressing to address ballistic missiles, which Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Iran refuses to discuss, while President Trump reiterates he prefers diplomacy yet will prevent an Iranian nuclear weapon as U.S. forces are surged and fresh sanctions are imposed.
- Oman reports negotiators showed an openness to new and creative ideas, and Iran’s president invoked Khamenei’s fatwa to assert the country will not pursue nuclear arms.
- IAEA chief Rafael Grossi is expected to probably join this round, and the Financial Times reports Tehran may float oil and gas investment access to dissuade a strike, though a U.S. official says no economic proposal has been received.