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Iran‑IAEA pre‑talk meeting
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.
“Iran says it has come to Geneva seeking a "fair and equitable" deal on its nuclear programme but warned talks will be difficult and that it will not "submit before threats."”
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.
Officials signalled some willingness to discuss limits on enrichment in return for sanctions relief, but also warned the talks will be difficult.
IAEA verification of Iran
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.
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.
Diplomacy amid military escalation
The diplomatic meeting took place against a visibly militarised backdrop.
“The US has quietly moved significant air and naval forces into the Middle East ahead of planned talks with Iran in Geneva, both to intimidate Tehran and to preserve military strike options if diplomacy fails.”
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.
Nuclear talks positions
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.
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.'
Diplomacy amid regional tensions
Outlooks across outlets vary but converge on fragility.
“With US military reinforcements in the Gulf and Iranian threats of regional war, US–Iran indirect talks in Geneva face deep disagreements over enrichment, sanctions relief and missiles even as both sides show limited diplomatic engagement.”
Regional governments are closely watching, and diplomats say the talks could either ease tensions or be overtaken by military action.
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.