Nuclear talks unlikely to end well after Trump speech, Iran lawmaker says

Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi met Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Geneva to convey Iran’s perspectives and proposals as part of ongoing indirect nuclear talks, Oman’s state news agency said.

The discussions addressed key aspects of Iran’s nuclear program and the guarantees required to reach an agreement covering technical and oversight issues, the agency said.

Albusaidi said efforts are being pursued “with unwavering determination and a constructive spirit,” adding that negotiators have shown openness to “novel and innovative ideas and solutions” aimed at securing what he described as a fair and durable agreement.

Mike Huckabee, the United States ambassador to Israel, said Iran is aware of what steps it must take to resolve tensions peacefully as nuclear talks unfold in Geneva.

“The Iranians know what they have to do if they want to resolve this peacefully,” Huckabee told Ynet, reiterating Washington’s position that any agreement must mean “no enrichment, no nuclear weapons.” He said concerns also extend to Iran’s missile program and regional activities.

Asked whether the negotiations would continue, Huckabee said the outcome depends on Tehran. “I don’t know. It really depends on what they come to the table with,” he said, confirming that US envoys are representing Washington in the talks.

“Let’s hope for some reasonable approach from the Iranians,” he added. “But it’s 47 years and we’re still waiting on one.”

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran said indirect talks between Iran and the United States would resume shortly in Geneva under Omani mediation.

The foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, is expected to join the third round of negotiations, as he did in the previous round.

“Our delegation has come to this round fully prepared,” Baghaei said, adding that Iran is participating “with full seriousness to secure our national interests.” The talks are focused on nuclear issues, including sanctions relief and Iran’s nuclear rights, which Tehran has conveyed to the Omani side, the spokesperson said, adding that discussions between the US and Oman began earlier in the day.

Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi met Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, in Geneva to discuss technical issues related to Iran’s nuclear file, Oman’s foreign ministry said.

Albusaidi stressed the importance of the IAEA’s professional and technical role in ensuring transparency and credibility in nuclear oversight, it added.

Iran would not develop nuclear weapons because Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has banned them, President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday, adding that “the religious leader of a society cannot lie like politicians.”

“When he announces that we will not have a nuclear weapon, it means we won’t have it,” Pezeshkian said ahead of a third round of nuclear talks with the US, which has continued to accuse Tehran of seeking a nuclear weapon.

Khamenei issued a fatwa, an Islamic religious decree, banning the development of nuclear weapons in the early 2000s.