Iran-US Talks: Both Sides Commit to Drafting Process as Nuclear Negotiations Deepen

The Iran-US nuclear negotiation process took a structurally significant step forward on Tuesday when both sides committed to exchanging written draft texts ahead of their next meeting — a move that signals the talks are transitioning from exploratory discussion to the harder work of reconciling actual negotiating positions. The second round of indirect talks in Geneva, mediated by Oman, also produced agreement on general guiding principles.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi described the session as more constructive than the first round and expressed cautious optimism about the direction of travel. He confirmed the drafting commitment and said a third meeting was expected in approximately two weeks, by which time both sides would have had the opportunity to review each other’s written positions.
The talks addressed the full scope of nuclear issues: Iran’s enrichment activities, its uranium stockpile, IAEA access, and the duration of any potential enrichment freeze. Iran offered to dilute its 40 kilograms of near-weapons-grade 60% enriched uranium and to cooperate more fully with international inspectors — including at nuclear sites that were damaged in recent US airstrikes and have not been comprehensively assessed since.
The gap between the two sides remained significant. The US has demanded a complete halt to all domestic uranium enrichment, which Iran categorically refuses. Iran’s position is that it will accept rigorous verification and even a temporary enrichment pause, but will not permanently surrender its sovereign right to enrichment under any conditions.
The diplomatic process unfolded against a backdrop of continuing tensions. US naval forces expanded their presence near Oman, and Khamenei issued pointed warnings about Iran’s capacity to sink those vessels. Iran announced partial closures of the Strait of Hormuz for military exercises. Inside Iran, mass mourning for protest victims and the ongoing prosecution of tens of thousands of demonstrators cast a long shadow over any sense of diplomatic normalcy.