Iran-US nuclear talks are set to resume in Geneva on Tuesday, with Tehran saying Washington’s position has become “more realistic” following earlier discussions mediated by Oman.
The comments came as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps began military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which roughly 20 percent of global oil supplies pass.
The renewed negotiations follow months of heightened tensions, including last year’s Iran-Israel war and continued US military deployments in the Gulf region.
Tehran signals shift in US position on enrichment
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on Monday that discussions held in Muscat indicated a change in Washington’s approach.
“A cautious assessment is that, from the discussions that have taken place in Muscat to date, at least what we have been told is that the US position on the Iranian nuclear issue has moved towards a more realistic one,” Baqaei said, according to the official IRNA news agency.
He added that Iran’s “inalienable rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty” had been recognised, including the peaceful use of nuclear energy and uranium enrichment.
Tehran insists that its nuclear programme is civilian in nature. Western governments have long accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, an allegation the Iranian authorities deny.
Key issues under discussion include:
Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, which had reached 60 percent purity before the Iran-Israel war.
• The lifting of long-standing US sanctions that have deepened Iran’s economic crisis.
• Guarantees regarding Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear activities under the NPT.
Iran has said it is prepared to dilute its highly enriched uranium if all US sanctions are lifted. Dilution involves blending enriched uranium with other material to reduce its concentration below a specified level.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors, more than 400 kilogrammes of uranium enriched to 60 percent were last verified in June before Israeli and US strikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities during the 12-day war. Tehran says the material remains under the rubble of those sites.
US and Israeli positions
Washington has repeatedly called on Iran to reduce its enrichment levels, with some US officials previously demanding that enrichment be reduced to zero.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday that Washington was hopeful of reaching an agreement, stressing that President Donald Trump preferred a negotiated outcome.
At the same time, Trump has repeatedly threatened military action and recently deployed additional naval forces to the Middle East, describing the buildup as an “armada”.
Israel has also taken a hard line. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said any agreement must ensure Iran has no enrichment capability and that all enriched uranium be transferred abroad.
Guards launch Strait of Hormuz drills
As diplomatic efforts continue, the Revolutionary Guards began military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. Iranian state television said the drills aim to prepare forces for “potential security and military threats” in the strategic waterway.
The exercises are overseen by Guards chief General Mohammad Pakpour. An IRGC navy official, Mohammad Akbarzadeh, said all foreign vessels in the region were under full intelligence surveillance and within reach of Iran’s defence capabilities, according to IRNA.
Iranian politicians have previously threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz during periods of heightened confrontation with the United States, although the waterway has never been closed.
The current round of drills comes amid:
Increased US naval deployments in the Gulf, including aircraft carrier groups.
Renewed indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
Regional tensions following last year’s war, during which Israel and the United States struck Iranian nuclear facilities.
Diplomatic meetings in Geneva
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva ahead of Tuesday’s indirect talks, which are mediated by Oman. He also met with International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi for what both sides described as in-depth technical discussions.
Araghchi said on social media that he had come to Geneva with “real ideas” for a fair agreement, adding that submission under threat was not on the table.
Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, told the BBC that Tehran would consider compromises on its uranium stockpile if sanctions crippling the Iranian economy are lifted.
The negotiations follow the collapse of previous talks in June, when Israel launched strikes on Iran that led to a 12-day war and direct US involvement in bombing Iranian nuclear facilities.
Conclusion:
The latest Iran-US nuclear talks take place against a backdrop of military pressure and economic strain. While Tehran signals cautious optimism about a shift in Washington’s position, fundamental disagreements over enrichment levels, sanctions relief, and regional security remain unresolved. The outcome of the Geneva negotiations is likely to have significant implications for regional stability and global energy markets.
