By Blessing Nweke
Officials from the United States and Iran are set to meet in Geneva on Thursday for a third round of indirect negotiations, as Donald Trump warns he could order military strikes if a nuclear agreement is not reached.
The talks follow the largest US military build-up in the Middle East since the Iraq War, with Tehran promising forceful retaliation against any attack. Diplomats view the discussions as a last-ditch attempt to avoid open conflict, though prospects for a breakthrough remain uncertain.
Iran’s delegation will again be led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while Washington is represented by envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Previous rounds were mediated by Oman.
Washington has deployed thousands of troops, two aircraft carriers and additional warplanes to the region. Trump has suggested a limited strike could pressure Tehran, eight months after US forces joined Israel in bombing Iranian nuclear facilities.
Tehran rejects US demands to halt uranium enrichment but signals willingness to discuss constraints on its nuclear programme. For decades, the US and Israel have accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, an allegation Tehran denies, insisting its programme is peaceful despite enrichment near weapons-grade levels.
In a recent address to United States Congress, Trump warned Iran was developing missiles capable of reaching the US and reiterated he would not allow Tehran to obtain nuclear weapons. Iranian officials countered that Washington is spreading “big lies” and reiterated that Iran would never build such weapons.
Iran is expected to seek sanctions relief in exchange for limits on enrichment and oversight measures. However, disagreements over ballistic missiles and regional proxy groups remain major obstacles.
Regional allies fear any strike could trigger a wider war, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to warn against a deal that ignores Iran’s missiles and allied militias.
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