Oman has confirmed that the United States and Iran will hold further talks in Geneva on Thursday (Feb 26th), as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate over Tehran’s nuclear programme. Oman’s foreign minister Badr Al Busaidi announced the confirmation, with the Iranian foreign minister adding that Tehran is negotiating only nuclear matters at this stage, while expressing confidence that a deal can be reached.
The diplomatic development comes against a backdrop of unrest inside Iran, where students have gathered for fresh rallies commemorating those killed in recent protests. The demonstrations, which initially broke out in December over economic hardship in the sanctions-hit country, quickly grew into some of the largest anti-government protests the Islamic republic has seen in years, posing a significant challenge to its clerical leadership. US President Donald Trump had initially voiced support for the protesters, threatening to intervene on their behalf as Iranian authorities launched a deadly crackdown. His focus soon shifted, however, to Iran’s nuclear programme, which Western governments believe is aimed at developing atomic weapons.
Thursday’s talks in Geneva mark the next step in what both sides appear to cautiously frame as a diplomatic opening, even as the situation on the ground inside Iran remains tense.
