Ahead of a fresh round of nuclear negotiations in Geneva, US Vice President JD Vance said Washington still prefers a diplomatic resolution with Iran, even as the administration tightened pressure with new sanctions. He said that President Donald Trump remains committed to preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon but wants to achieve that goal through talks.
“We’re sitting down having another round of diplomatic talks with the Iranians trying to reach a reasonable settlement,” Vance told Fox News. He added that Trump had been clear Iran “can’t have a nuclear weapon” and that he hoped Iranian negotiators would take the US position seriously during Thursday’s discussions.
The third round of Iran-US negotiations is scheduled in Geneva. Previous talks established “general guiding principles” for a potential agreement, however, disputes over Iran’s nuclear program and missile limits continue.
US EXPANDS IRAN SANCTIONS ON OIL, WEAPONS
Hours before the meeting, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on more than 30 individuals, entities and vessels accused of supporting Iran’s oil exports and weapons programmes. According to the US Treasury, the measures targeted networks linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and defence ministry that help secure materials and machinery for missile and arms production.
Twelve vessels of Iran’s so-called “shadow fleet” were also sanctioned. The term refers to old oil tankers with unclear ownership that move sanctioned crude without proper insurance, helping Iran keep selling petroleum despite restrictions.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Iran was using financial channels to fund destabilising activities. “Iran exploits financial systems to sell illicit oil, launder the proceeds, procure components for its nuclear and conventional weapons programs, and support its terrorist proxies,” he said.
The sanctions are part of Trump’s campaign to squeeze Iran’s economy while warning that military options remain possible if negotiations fail. In his recent address to Congress, Trump again raised the prospect of force should Tehran refuse to curb its nuclear programme.
IRAN SIGNALS CAUTIOUS HOPE
Tehran has maintained that its nuclear work is intended for civilian energy. Iranian officials also admitted major disagreements persist over sanctions relief and limits on uranium enrichment.
Ahead of the Geneva round, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told India Today TV, Iran believed a fair agreement was still achievable but questioned Washington’s limited assurance. “Based on the understanding from previous times, we will build an agreement, a deal. A fair, balanced, equitable deal is achievable,” he said in an interview.
He also pointed to lingering distrust. “We are not fully convinced that they have real determination to do that,” he said, referring to past negotiations that collapsed. Still, he added: “If there is a real determination on their side to come to a conclusion, then we can achieve an agreement.”
The United States has pressed Iran to abandon uranium enrichment entirely, while Tehran insists on retaining limited capability for peaceful energy use. The Iranian Minister reiterated that position, saying: “We are ready to address concerns but we are not ready to give up our right for peaceful use of nuclear tech,” he said.
He also rejected accusations that Iran is expanding long-range missile capacity. “We are not developing long range missiles. We have limited range to below 2000kms intentionally,” he said, describing the programme as defensive deterrence.
With inputs from agencies
