Iran-US negotiators take break after three hours of ‘very serious’ talks

Indirect talks between Iran and the United States were paused after three hours of discussions in Geneva Thursday, with negotiating teams stepping away for internal consultations and planning to continue later in the day.

The talks began earlier in the morning at the Omani embassy in Geneva and are expected to resume following the break.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told reporters following the pause that “the talks have been very serious and highly intensive since the morning.” 

“This pause was necessary to allow for consultations—both with capitals and within the delegations themselves,” he said, adding that the talks will resume at around 5:30 PM local time. 

The spokesman, meanwhile, noted that “the contradictory remarks coming from some US officials and various media outlets tied to the ruling establishments in the US have fueled doubts and ambiguities. For us, what matters is focusing on the outcome.”

Iran’s negotiating approach, he continued, has been “entirely clear” with positions of Iranian diplomats aligning with their statements, “though we have not seen the same from the other side.”

“Today's discussions were very serious, and we hope that in the talks taking place tonight, we will see a continuation of the dialogue on the lifting of sanctions and nuclear issues—this time in a more operational manner, with practical proposals and executable initiatives,” Baghaei said.

The spokesman also noted that he could not confirm any of the speculations raised by media outlets about the discussions.

Some initiatives have been proposed in the talks, he said, adding, “we should wait and see how tonight's discussions unfold—some of which will require consultations with capitals before anything can be finalized. Once that process is complete, we should be able to offer a more precise assessment at the conclusion of the talks.”

Earlier, he had said that Tehran is prepared to continue negotiations for as long as necessary.

“We are ready to continue the talks for as long as possible,” he said, adding that Iran entered the process “with full seriousness to secure our national interests.”

Baghaei said the negotiations are focused on the nuclear issue and stressed that Iran’s positions have been clearly conveyed. He said Tehran has communicated its stance to the Omani mediators on both the removal of sanctions and Iran’s nuclear rights and interests.

“We’ve been exchanging creative and positive ideas in Geneva today, and now both US and Iranian negotiators have adjourned for a break,” said Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi who has been mediating the indirect talks.

“We’ll resume later today. We hope to make more progress,” he wrote on X.

The talks mark the third round of indirect Iran-US talks with Muscat acting as mediator. Oman also facilitated the previous two rounds, held earlier this month in Muscat and Geneva.

Iran’s delegation is led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who arrived in Geneva on Wednesday. The US side is led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

Oman’s top diplomat met US negotiators ahead of the talks. In an earlier statement, the Omani Foreign Ministry said Iran’s proposal was reviewed alongside US questions on Tehran’s nuclear program and the guarantees required for an agreement.

It said technical and monitoring issues were examined in detail and described the discussions as serious and constructive, with unprecedented openness to new ideas.

Secretary of Iran's Supreme Defense Council Ali Shamkhani described the talks as an opportunity for a swift deal if the focus remains limited.

Shamkhani said that if the central issue is Iran not developing nuclear weapons, “this aligns with #Leader_Fatwa and #Iran_Defensive_Doctrine, and an immediate agreement is within reach.”

He was referring to a ruling issued by the Islamic Revolution Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, banning the development and use of weapons of mass destruction, including atomic bombs.  

Shamkhani added that Araghchi has sufficient support and authority to reach such a deal.

3rd round of nuclear talks opens in Geneva; Iran’s proposal seen as ‘test’ of US sincerity

Iran has reportedly put forward proposals to the US that address all of Washington

Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of the parliament’s Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy, said on Thursday that all red lines and overarching nuclear strategies have been fully considered in Iran’s proposal and that uranium enrichment “will under no circumstances be halted.”

Azizi said Iran has offered constructive proposals across all areas to remove pretexts and force clarity. He described the package presented in Geneva as a “serious opportunity for the other side to engage without repeating past excuses.”

He said the proposal addresses sanctions relief, investment opportunities, economic cooperation and the use of Iran’s economic capacities to ensure tangible benefits for the Iranian people.

If the other side acts rationally and on the basis of national interests, he said, the package could lead to a “comprehensive agreement.”

Azizi, however, warned that if the talks are used as a tool of pressure or destabilization, Iran will continue its path with full vigilance.

He stressed that all defensive capabilities remain on full alert and that any action against Iran’s national security or territorial integrity would be met with a decisive response.

The warning comes amid growing US military buildup near Iran, with President Donald Trump sending contradictory signals, including threatening Iranians with a military aggression.

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