US President Donald Trump said on February 16 that he would participate "indirectly" in important negotiations between the US and Iran on Tehran's nuclear program, scheduled to take place in Geneva. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Mr. Trump affirmed that the exchanges would be very important and expressed his belief that Iran wants to reach an agreement.
Mr. Trump said Tehran once pursued a tough stance in negotiations, but realized the consequences of that approach when the US conducted airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last summer. He mentioned that the US had to deploy B-2 stealth bombers to "eliminate Iran's nuclear potential" and expressed hope that Iran would be "more reasonable".
Ahead of the negotiations, tensions increased as the US deployed a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East. US officials said the military is preparing for the possibility of conducting a prolonged operation if dialogue fails.
Before the airstrikes in June, nuclear negotiations between the two sides were stalled due to Washington's request for Tehran to abandon domestic uranium enrichment activities, which the US considers a path to nuclear weapons. Iran does not accept this request.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and said he was present in Geneva to move towards "a fair and balanced agreement". He emphasized that what "is not on the negotiating table" is submission to the threat.
The IAEA has called on Iran for months to clarify the fate of its stockpile of about 440kg of enriched uranium after airstrikes targeted Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan facilities, and to allow full resumption of inspection operations.
Iran has repeatedly warned that it may close the Strait of Hormuz if attacked, a move that could affect about 1/5 of global oil flow. Tehran has conducted exercises on this strategic shipping route.
Washington also wants to expand the negotiation content to non-nuclear issues such as Iran's missile arsenal, while Tehran affirms that it only discusses restricting the nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions and does not accept a zero enrichment level.
During his visit to Hungary, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that there is still an opportunity to reach an agreement through diplomatic channels, but admitted that this will be a difficult process.
