US-Iran LIVE: Vance says Trump still seeks diplomatic deal with Iran, keeps ‘other tools’ on table

Iran plans to present its position on sanctions relief and the nuclear issue.

The information was provided by Iran’s government and foreign ministry in a statement. (AFP)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his team arrived in Geneva.

The US-Iran talks are set to take place on Thursday.

The delegation will meet Oman’s foreign minister first. (AFP)

Japan confirmed that a Japanese citizen has been detained in Tehran since January 20. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki said Tokyo is in contact with the detainee and their family, urging Iranian authorities to release them “swiftly.”

Foreign Ministry officials said the individual is believed to be in good health, though consular access has not yet been granted.

Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly said the US wants any nuclear deal with Iran to remain in effect without an expiration date.

The comments were made during a private gathering on Tuesday, according to the report.

The information was stated by Axios, citing a US official and two other sources familiar with the discussion.

“In relation to the talks, we see a good outlook, tomorrow in the meeting that Dr. Araqchi will hold in Geneva… we have tried, with the guidance of the Supreme Leader, to manage this process to get out of the no war, no peace situation,” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in comments carried by state media.

When asked on Fox News whether the United States would seek the removal of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, US vice president JD Vance declined to comment directly on the issue.

US vice president JD Vance speaking to Fox News, emphasized that Trump has been consistent in his stance that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon.

“President Trump has been very clear: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Vance said. “He prefers to achieve that objective through diplomacy.”

“He wants to accomplish this diplomatically,” Vance said. “But of course, he has other tools at his disposal.”

“We’re sitting down having another round of diplomatic talks with the Iranians trying to reach a reasonable settlement,” he said.

Oil prices fluctuated near $66 a barrel as markets weighed the prospects of a nuclear deal between the United States and Iran ahead of Thursday’s talks in Geneva, while a significant US military deployment in the Middle East kept traders on edge.

US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned more than 30 individuals, entities and tankers in Iran.

The targets are accused of facilitating illicit Iranian petroleum sales.

US authorities say the networks helped move Iranian oil in violation of sanctions.

The activity allegedly generated revenue for the government in Iran.

The sanctions also targeted groups linked to Iran’s ballistic missile production.

Advanced conventional weapons development networks were included in the action.

The United States Department of the Treasury on Wednesday imposed a new round of Iran-related sanctions, targeting dozens of individuals, companies and vessels linked to Tehran’s energy and weapons sectors.

The move came just hours after US President Donald Trump outlined his case for possible military action against Iran during his State of the Union address to Congress.

Saudi Arabia is on track to record its highest monthly oil exports in nearly three years.

Crude shipments averaged 7.3 million barrels per day (bpd) in the first 24 days of February.

This marks the highest export level since April 2023.

If sustained through month-end, exports would rise by just over 400,000 bpd compared with January.

The increase comes as global oil traders closely monitor rising US-Iran tensions. (Bloomberg)

The OPEC alliance is likely to consider increasing oil production by 137,000 barrels per day (bpd) in April, Reuters said citing three sources familiar with the group’s thinking, as producers prepare for peak summer demand and heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

During his State of the Union address, Donald Trump repeated his claim that the United States “obliterated Iran’s nuclear weapons program” with strikes carried out in June.

The claim has been questioned by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog agency.

Trump warned that Iran is continuing its weapons development efforts.

“They were warned to make no future attempts to rebuild their weapons program, and in particular nuclear weapons, yet they continue. They’re starting it all over.”

He alleged that Iran is advancing its missile capabilities.

“They’ve already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and they’re working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America.”

The president insisted the U.S. had destroyed Iran’s previous nuclear capabilities.

“We wiped it out and they want to start it all over again and are at this moment again pursuing their sinister ambitions.”

Trump reiterated his long-standing red line on Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

“I will never allow Iran to build a nuclear weapon.”

He also repeated his claim that Iranian security forces killed 32,000 people in a crackdown on recent anti-government protests.
Trump’s address highlights here

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned that Tehran would respond forcefully to any military action.

“If you choose the table of diplomacy — a diplomacy in which the dignity of the Iranian nation and mutual interests are respected — we will also be at that table,” Qalibaf said.

“But if you decide to repeat past experiences through deception… and launch an attack in the midst of negotiations, you will undoubtedly taste the firm blow of the Iranian nation.”

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei accused the US administration of spreading misinformation, comparing Trump’s assertions during his State of the Union address to propaganda tactics.

“Whatever they’re alleging regarding Iran’s nuclear programme, Iran’s ballistic missiles, and the number of casualties during January’s unrest is simply the repetition of big lies,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei wrote on X.

During his State of the Union, Donald Trump accused Iran of resuming efforts to rebuild its weapons program despite prior warnings from the United States.

“They were warned to make no future attempts to rebuild their weapons program, and in particular nuclear weapons, yet they continue. They’re starting it all over.”

He alleged that Iran is advancing its missile capabilities. “They’ve already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and they’re working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America.”

During his annual State of the Union address, Donald Trump reiterated his claim that the United States “obliterated Iran’s nuclear weapons program” with strikes carried out in June, an assertion that has been questioned by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“We wiped it out and they want to start it all over again and are at this moment again pursuing their sinister ambitions.”

Turkey, a NATO member bordering Iran, said it is assessing all potential measures if tensions escalate.

“All scenarios are being considered; and steps that can be taken to ensure the safety of our citizens are being worked on,” a Turkish diplomatic source told Reuters, adding that any move violating Iran’s sovereignty was “out of the question.”

Protesters also gathered outside the US Consulate General in Istanbul to show solidarity with Iran.

Australia has directed dependants of its diplomats in Israel and Lebanon to leave due to the deteriorating security environment.

Voluntary departures have also been offered in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Qatar.

The third round of talks will see US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner meet Iran’s delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Iranian state media confirmed Araghchi and his team departed Tehran on Wednesday.

The negotiations follow two earlier Oman-mediated rounds aimed at resolving disputes over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Saudi Arabia has prepared a contingency plan to increase short-term oil production and exports if a potential US strike on Iran disrupts crude flows.

Oil markets have been on edge amid fears that any conflict could impact shipments through key Gulf routes.

Germany called on Tehran to abandon any pursuit of nuclear weapons, curb its ballistic missile programme and halt destabilising regional activities.

“We expect Iran to seize the opportunity to engage constructively in the Geneva talks,” a German foreign office spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Tehran responded sharply to Trump’s remarks. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei accused Washington of spreading “disinformation & misinformation,” calling the allegations “the repetition of big lies.”

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned that if the US “launch[es] an attack in the midst of negotiations, you will undoubtedly taste the firm blow of the Iranian nation.”

Iran maintains its nuclear programme is peaceful, though the International Atomic Energy Agency has previously raised concerns over enrichment levels.

US President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Tehran ahead of talks in Geneva. In his State of the Union address, Trump said Iran would never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. “They’re working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America,” he said. “They were warned… yet they continue. They’re starting it all over.”

Washington is demanding zero uranium enrichment, along with limits on Iran’s ballistic missile programme and support for regional proxy forces.

As Washington amasses one of its largest military deployments in decades in the Middle East, high-stakes diplomacy between the United States and Iran is entering what many see as a decisive phase. A third round of indirect talks is set for Thursday in Geneva, mediated by Oman.