Geneva, Feb 27 (.) The third round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran concluded in Geneva with plans for a follow-up “technical level” meeting in Vienna next week, as Washington weighs whether renewed diplomacy can curb Tehran’s nuclear ambitions or whether it may ultimately resort to military force.
According to sources familiar with the negotiations, US officials pressed Iran to dismantle its nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan and to transfer its remaining stockpile of enriched uranium out of the country.
Iran is unlikely to accept reported US demands to destroy its nuclear facilities, send its highly enriched uranium to the US, and commit to a permanent deal. The Iranian proposal does not meet core US demands, and Iran is trying to offer economic incentives that are unrelated to US demands in order to extract concessions from the United States. US officials have previously stated that the US would strike Iran if the two sides cannot reach a deal.
The diplomatic push unfolds against a backdrop of an unusually large US military buildup in the region described by officials as the most significant deployment of air and naval assets since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Refueling aircraft and A-10 ground-attack planes have been stationed at locations visible from civilian airports in Israel and on the Greek island of Crete, underscoring the show of force.
President Donald Trump has prioritised diplomacy, even as he maintains a hard line on Iran’s nuclear program. Previous US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities caused limited damage despite Trump’s assertion that the program had been “obliterated.” The president has repeatedly argued that Tehran seeks to acquire a nuclear weapon , a claim Iran denies.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that he does not believe Iran is currently enriching uranium but warned that Tehran appears to be attempting to rebuild elements of its nuclear infrastructure. Administration officials suggest a negotiated settlement remains the preferred outcome, aiming to ensure Iran remains without nuclear weapons and subject to robust international inspections.
Yet significant questions remain about Washington’s red lines. It is unclear whether the US would accept limited enrichment for civilian or medical purposes, or whether it seeks a complete halt. Trump’s recent State of the union address did not explicitly call for an end to enrichment, and officials have indicated that a “token” level of enrichment could be considered.
Beyond uranium enrichment, unresolved issues include potential limits on Iran’s missile capabilities and restrictions on Tehran’s regional proxy networks, weakened by recent Israeli and US military operations and the fall of the Assad regime in Syria in late 2024.
The framework of the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated under former President Barack Obama could provide a template for renewed talks, potentially expediting negotiations. US envoy Steve Witkoff, previously criticized for his handling of Ukraine-related discussions, now faces a compressed timeline and heightened stakes.
Despite the muscular display of force, including two aircraft carriers positioned nearby, Pentagon officials have reportedly cautioned about limited munitions stockpiles and the sustainability of a prolonged campaign. The current deployment may signal credible intent but is likely insufficient for a sustained, weeks-long offensive.
Rubio also stated on February 25 that Iran is “trying to achieve intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).” The US Defense Intelligence Agency released a public assessment in 2025 stating that Iran has the capability to develop an ICBM by 2035. Iran continues efforts to rebuild other aspects of its ballistic missile programme.
A shorter, more targeted strike remains an option, though it carries risks. Limited action could expose constraints in Washington’s appetite for conflict and weaken deterrence if Tehran withstands initial blows and responds with calibrated retaliation.
Vice President Vance on Thursday defended the US potentially launching military strikes on Iran, saying there was “no chance” that it would lead to a longer war in the Middle East.
Vance said in an interview with The Washington Post that the strikes would be a deterrent to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon unless the issue is solved diplomatically.
“The idea that we’re going to be in a Middle Eastern war for years with no end in sight — there is no chance that will happen,” he said.
The vice president said he does not know how President Trump will act on Iran, saying that he and the president are “skeptics of foreign military interventions.”. .