Trump attack threat looms as nuclear talks between US and Iran go to wire

"The US is demanding permanent Iranian guarantees on uranium enrichment and inspection mechanisms that will satisfy Washington that Tehran will never be able to build a nuclear weapon, a goal it has always denied. The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has also said Iran's refusal to discuss its ballistic missile programme is a problem, prompting Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, to complain about inconsistencies in the US negotiating demands."

"Iran's foreign ministry tried to dampen suggestions that the talks in Geneva had broken down, insisting new ideas had been raised requiring more consultation in both capitals. The Omani mediators also rejected talk of a breakdown, claiming new and creative ideas were being exchanged with an unprecedented openness in what was being billed as a third decisive round of indirect consultations."

"The talks are being held against the backdrop of Trump's unprecedented build up of US assets in the region, including two aircraft carrier strike groups, attack aircraft, plane refuelling equipment and submarines equipped with Tomahawk missiles."

High-stakes nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran continue in Geneva with apparent gaps between the two sides. The US demands permanent Iranian guarantees on uranium enrichment and inspection mechanisms to ensure Tehran cannot develop nuclear weapons. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also raised concerns about Iran's ballistic missile program. Iran's foreign ministry rejected suggestions of breakdown, claiming new ideas were being exchanged with unprecedented openness through Omani mediators. US negotiator Steve Witkoff temporarily left talks to meet with Ukrainian negotiators. The discussions occur amid an unprecedented US military buildup in the region, including two aircraft carrier strike groups and submarines equipped with Tomahawk missiles. Central to negotiations is whether the US will restrict Iran to minimal uranium enrichment levels for medical purposes only.

Read at www.theguardian.com