U.S. and Iran continue negotiations next week; U.S. media say the risk of war is "approaching"

According to reports from Xinhua News Agency’s foreign correspondents: The third round of indirect talks between the United States and Iran concluded on the 26th in Geneva, Switzerland. Iran stated that the negotiations made “good progress,” and both sides will continue discussions next week. Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to strengthen military preparations, with President Trump hearing a briefing from the U.S. military on options for military action against Iran. Some U.S. media believe that the risk of war between the U.S. and Iran is “approaching.”

The indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran on that day were held in two phases in the morning and afternoon at the Omani diplomatic mission in Geneva. The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. demanded Iran dismantle its major nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, and transfer all remaining enriched uranium to the U.S. But during the negotiations, Iran’s state television reported that Iran refused to transfer its enriched uranium abroad. Yass Hazrati, head of Iran’s Civil Information Committee, wrote on social media: “Uranium enrichment activities will continue as needed, and no nuclear material will be exported from Iran.”

After the negotiations, Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Badri said on social media that “significant progress” had been made. After each side reported to their respective governments, negotiations will resume as soon as possible, with “technical discussions” scheduled for next week in Vienna, Austria.

Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian made a similar statement, saying that the negotiations had made “good progress,” and that they would continue to conduct in-depth discussions on matters necessary to reach an agreement, including lifting sanctions and steps related to nuclear issues. The technical teams from both sides plan to begin technical discussions and reviews in Vienna on March 2, with the next round of talks expected within a week.

Abdollahian said this round of negotiations is one of the most serious and longest-lasting nuclear negotiations to date. Both sides have reached a “deep understanding,” but disagreements remain in some areas. He emphasized that Iran and the U.S. are “closer to consensus on some key issues.”

U.S. Special Envoy Wittekov and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, participated as U.S. representatives but did not make public statements on the outcome. An anonymous U.S. official told Axios News after the negotiations that the talks were “positive,” but did not provide further details. Earlier that day, the media reported that Wittekov and Kushner were “disappointed” with what Iran had conveyed during the first phase of negotiations.

Recently, the U.S. has continued to exert military pressure on Iran, massing troops in the Middle East. According to Greek daily Kathimerini, the U.S. Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Ford, left the Souda Bay naval base on the southern coast of Crete, Greece, on the morning of the 26th, heading to the Middle East, expected to arrive in Israel within 24 hours. The USS Ford is seen as the “final piece” of U.S. military deployment against Iran, and once in place, it will form a “dual aircraft carrier” presence with the USS Lincoln in the Middle East.

According to ABC News, on the day of the third round of talks, U.S. Central Command Commander General Cooper briefed Trump on possible military options against Iran. One option considered by Trump is limited strikes on Iran’s ballistic missile launch sites and nuclear facilities as a warning to pressure Tehran into accepting Trump’s demands. The report cited sources saying Trump is also considering launching large-scale military operations targeting multiple sites over a period of time. It also mentioned that some Republicans and officials in the Trump administration have privately advocated for Israel to lead the attack on Iran rather than the U.S. initiating hostile actions.

The Associated Press believes that although the U.S. and Iran will continue negotiations next week, the risk of war is “approaching” as the U.S. amasses a large fleet of fighter jets and warships in the Middle East.

Source: Xinhua News Agency

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