US President Donald Trump has warned Iran of severe consequences if it fails to reach a deal with the United States, as negotiations mediated by Oman resume in Geneva on Tuesday.
Tehran has expressed cautious optimism over what it describes as Washington’s slightly more realistic stance on its nuclear programme, which Iran has vowed to continue despite Trump’s repeated threats.
Trump has threatened military action against Iran over its crackdown on protests and its nuclear activities — allegations Tehran denies and labels as intimidation.
Speaking on Air Force One, Trump said, "I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal.”
Previous diplomatic efforts between the US and Iran collapsed after Israel launched military strikes targeting Iranian nuclear scientists and military leadership.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei stated, “Iran is approaching the talks with caution, but the position on the nuclear issue has changed as far as Tehran’s existing stance is concerned.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi in Geneva on Monday to discuss Tehran’s position “regarding nuclear issues and sanctions relief”.
Araghchi said, “Iran is seeking a solution through diplomacy and remains serious about securing the legitimate interests and rights of the Iranian people.”
Iran has insisted that discussions be limited to its nuclear programme, while Washington is pushing to include Iran’s ballistic missile programme — a key concern for Israel, the undeclared nuclear power in the Middle East.
This comes days after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps began a series of war games on Monday in the Strait of Hormuz to prepare for “potential security and military threats”.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a staunch supporter of Israel, said on Monday, "We're hopeful there’s a deal. The president always prefers peaceful outcomes and negotiated outcomes to things.”
In a post on X, Araghchi responded to Rubio’s remarks, stating he too had come to “Geneva with real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal”, but added there would be no “submission before threats”.
It remains unclear whether an agreement on the nuclear programme will be reached, though Washington’s repeatedly shifting positions have undermined genuine efforts towards a peaceful resolution in the Middle East.
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