Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi met in Geneva with IAEA chief Rafael Grossi ahead of a new round of indirect U.S.–Iran nuclear negotiations hosted by Oman. Araghchi said he brought “real ideas” for a fair deal but rejected any notion of capitulation. The talks come as Iran conducts a second major naval drill in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters, coinciding with a U.S. military buildup ordered by President Donald Trump, including the deployment of another aircraft carrier to the region.
Tensions at sea have escalated sharply in recent weeks. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard launched fresh exercises in key shipping lanes, and sailors were warned of possible live‑fire activity in Iranian territorial waters. Earlier this month, a U.S. fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln, and Iran harassed a U.S.-flagged merchant vessel. Washington has warned Tehran against threatening commercial or American naval vessels, while Iran insists it will respond forcefully if attacked.
Despite the military friction, both sides signal conditional openness to diplomacy. Iranian officials say they may compromise on nuclear issues if the U.S. eases sanctions, while Washington seeks strict limits on enrichment and assurances Iran will not pursue nuclear weapons.
