Oman’s role as a quiet but effective diplomatic bridge between Iran and the United States bore fruit again on Tuesday, as a second round of nuclear talks in Geneva produced what Iranian officials described as genuine progress. Foreign Minister Araghchi said the two sides had agreed on guiding principles and would now move toward exchanging draft agreement texts — a procedural step that signals growing seriousness on both sides.
The talks lasted three and a half hours and covered the full spectrum of nuclear-related issues, from Iran’s enrichment levels and uranium stockpiles to IAEA verification protocols and the timeline for any potential suspension of enrichment activities. Iran’s proposal to downblend its 40 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium was a focal point of the discussions.
Iran’s position remained firm on several critical issues. Tehran refused to put its ballistic missile capabilities or its regional influence network on the table, insisting these were non-negotiable. Similarly, the right to enrich uranium on Iranian soil — something the US has demanded Iran give up entirely — was presented as a sovereign right that could not be traded away.
US President Trump, meanwhile, delivered a characteristically mixed set of messages, simultaneously expressing belief that Iran wanted a deal and drawing attention to the significant US naval forces positioned in the region. Iran’s Supreme Leader read the military posturing as a form of intimidation and responded with pointed warnings of Iran’s own military capabilities.
The talks took place as Iran marked a painful day of national mourning, with the 40th-day memorial for protesters killed in recent demonstrations drawing large crowds across the country. The Iranian judiciary confirmed that over 10,000 people had been summoned for trial in connection with the protests, painting a stark picture of the political situation inside Iran.
Iran-US Talks: Omani Mediation Delivers Progress as Tehran Reports ‘Good’ Diplomatic Gains
