Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi Meets IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi Ahead of Second-Round Talks With United States in Geneva

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met IAEA Director‑General Rafael Grossi in Geneva ahead of a second round of Oman‑mediated, indirect talks with the United States, a meeting framed by sources as preparatory and technical even as political tensions ran high.

“- The US is substantially reinforcing air and naval forces in the Middle East ahead of talks with Iran in Geneva, moving assets both to pressure Tehran and to retain strike options if diplomacy fails, multiple sources told CNN”

9News.au

Araghchi told Grossi he brought "real ideas" for a fair deal and rejected "submission before threats," while Tehran insisted its nuclear programme is civilian and sought to build trust that enrichment activities were peaceful.

Al Jazeera

Officials signalled some willingness to discuss limits on enrichment in return for sanctions relief, but also warned the talks will be difficult.

The meeting was tightly bound up with IAEA verification questions.

The agency has pressed Tehran to explain the disposition of roughly 440 kg of highly enriched uranium following strikes last June.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

It has also pressed Tehran to permit full inspections at Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan, and inspectors have access to some sites but not others.

UN nuclear chief Rafael Grossi warned that Iran’s roughly 60% enriched stockpile, if weaponized, could yield material for up to about 10 nuclear weapons — a formulation PBS uses to underline the seriousness of the verification gap even as it notes that does not prove the existence of a weapon.

The diplomatic meeting took place against a visibly militarised backdrop.

“The US has sent the aircraft carrier Ford and escort ships to the Middle East, joining the USS Abraham Lincoln, which was deployed last month amid Iran's deadly crackdown on protests, US officials told Reuters”

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Multiple outlets report a significant U.S. air and naval build-up in the region, including carrier strike groups, fighter deployments and hundreds of cargo flights, described as preserving strike options if diplomacy failed.

President Donald Trump said he would be "indirectly" involved and repeatedly warned of military consequences, while Iran conducted naval drills and warned it could close the Strait of Hormuz.

That simultaneous escalation in posture and rhetoric underlines the risk that diplomacy might be overtaken by force.

On the substance of negotiations, reporting shows clear, opposing red lines.

U.S. reports described Washington as pressing for a ban on enrichment and widening the talks to include missiles and regional proxies.

Business Day

Iran rejects zero enrichment and conditions limits on sanctions relief.

Israeli leaders expressed scepticism that a deal that permits enrichment could be sufficient and urged dismantling of infrastructure and removal of enriched material.

Iran's deputies signalled willingness to compromise on some enrichment limits in exchange for sanctions relief and repeatedly said the 'ball is in America's court.'

Outlooks across outlets vary but converge on fragility.

“Iran says it is in Geneva to seek a “fair and equitable deal” on its nuclear programme but cautions talks will be difficult given the country’s leadership, and insists it will not “submit before threats”

Business Day

Regional governments are closely watching, and diplomats say the talks could either ease tensions or be overtaken by military action.

CNN

West Asian outlets stress the prospect of a regional war if attacks occur and highlight Gulf state anxieties.

Western mainstream coverage emphasises U.S. pressure as both deterrent and bargaining tool and the technical hurdles the IAEA insists must be resolved.

Several reports say the talks were mediated by Oman and occur amid continued naval drills and air deployments, underscoring that diplomacy is proceeding in parallel with force posturing.