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Geneva – Iran and the United States reached a tentative understanding on “guiding principles” in ongoing nuclear talks on Tuesday, a development that coincided with a partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. While not indicative of an imminent deal, the progress eased concerns about escalating regional conflict and prompted a decline in oil futures, with Brent crude falling more than one percent.
The indirect discussions, mediated by Oman, involved U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, alongside Araghchi. Araghchi told Iranian media that “different ideas have been presented” and “seriously discussed,” resulting in a “general agreement on some guiding principles.” A U.S. Official, speaking on background, stated that Iran would present detailed proposals within the next two weeks to address remaining gaps in the negotiations. “Progress was made, but We find still a lot of details to discuss,” the official said.
The partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil supply, was announced by Iranian state media as a “security precaution” during military drills conducted by Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards. Tehran has previously threatened to disrupt shipping through the strait if attacked, a move that could significantly impact global oil flows, potentially affecting approximately 20% of the world’s supply and driving up prices.
Nuclear Talks and Regional Tensions
The renewed dialogue comes amidst heightened tensions, fueled by past military actions and strong rhetoric from both sides. Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated he would be “indirectly” involved in the Geneva talks, expressing his belief that Tehran is motivated to reach an agreement. “I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal,” Trump said, as reported by news outlets. He also referenced past military actions, stating, “We could have had a deal instead of sending the B-2s in to knock out their nuclear potential. And we had to send the B-2s.”
According to reports, the U.S. And Israel conducted joint bombing raids on Iranian nuclear facilities last June, prompting Iran to halt uranium enrichment activity. The U.S. And Israel maintain that Iran aspires to develop nuclear weapons, a claim Iran vehemently denies, asserting its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes. Iran has joined the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which guarantees the right to pursue civilian nuclear power while prohibiting the development of atomic weapons.
Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi acknowledged the challenges ahead, posting on X (formerly Twitter) that “much work is yet to be done,” but affirmed that both Iran and the U.S. Were departing with “clear next steps.”
Khamenei Warns Against U.S. Intervention
Simultaneous with the talks, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a strong warning against any U.S. Attempts at regime change. Responding to Trump’s comments suggesting such a possibility, Khamenei stated, as published by Iranian media, “The U.S. President says their army is the world’s strongest, but the strongest army in the world can sometimes be slapped so hard it cannot get up.” Khamenei, 86, reiterated Iran’s position that its missile stockpile is non-negotiable and unrelated to the United States.
A senior Iranian official, speaking to Reuters, emphasized that the success of the Geneva talks hinges on the U.S. Demonstrating seriousness in lifting crippling sanctions and avoiding unrealistic demands. Washington has sought to broaden the scope of discussions to include Iran’s missile program, but Tehran has consistently maintained its willingness to discuss only curbs on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
Abbas Araghchi, now serving as Iran’s Foreign Minister since August 2024, according to his Wikipedia profile, expressed optimism that the talks could lead to a “sustainable” solution recognizing Iran’s “legitimate rights.”
What to Watch Next
The coming weeks will be critical as Iran prepares to present detailed proposals aimed at bridging the remaining gaps in the nuclear negotiations. The international community will be closely monitoring these developments, particularly in light of the ongoing tensions in the region and the potential for further escalation. The situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz will also remain a key focus, as any disruption to oil flows could have significant global economic consequences.
What are your thoughts on the progress of these talks? Share your comments below and let us know what you think the next steps should be.
