A third round of crucial negotiations between the United States and Iran regarding Iran’s nuclear program has begun in Genoa, Italy, as both nations seek to avoid potential military conflict. The talks represent a key opportunity to de-escalate tensions that have persisted for years.
High-ranking officials, diplomats, and negotiators from both countries are participating in the discussions.
According to the BBC, Iran has presented a concrete proposal concerning its armament policies.
Negotiations between the United States and Iran
The proposal was delivered through Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr bin Hamad al Busaidi, who previously met with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, to discuss the agency’s potential role in inspecting Iranian nuclear facilities should an agreement be reached.
The Omani Foreign Ministry confirmed that al Busaidi and Grossi discussed “technical matters” and ways to ensure transparent and credible inspections of the facilities.
Late Wednesday, al Busaidi also met with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araqchi, who is leading Iran’s delegation in this third round of negotiations this year.
Iranian officials in Tehran stated that the offer presented in Genoa will allow them to gauge “the seriousness” of the United States’ commitment to resolving their differences through diplomacy.
“Never will they have a nuclear weapon”: Trump warns Iran in State of the Union address
The U.S. President issued the warning to Tehran as Washington and Tehran prepare for new negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.
In the message to… pic.twitter.com/YUOHydp8i5
— DW Español (@dw_espanol) February 25, 2026
Iran contends that its proposals “remove all pretexts” used by the United States regarding its nuclear program.
Meanwhile, U.S. Diplomat Marco Rubio expressed cautious optimism about the potential for productive negotiations, but emphasized the require to address issues beyond the nuclear program, specifically Iran’s ballistic missile program.
Rubio noted that Iran has so far refused to discuss its missile program during these talks, but added that “sooner or later” it will have to, as those weapons are “designed exclusively” to target the United States. The inclusion of Iran’s missile program in negotiations remains a significant sticking point.
