U.S.-Iran talks expected Thursday to discuss nuclear proposal
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Witkoff and Kushner in Paris, where they attended the Israel-Syria talks and a summit on Ukraine. Photo: Tom Nicholson/Getty Images
U.S. and Iranian negotiators are expected to meet in Geneva on Thursday to discuss a detailed Iranian proposal for a nuclear deal. A senior U.S. official told Axios on Sunday morning the Trump administration expects to receive the proposal by Tuesday.
Why it matters: The current diplomatic push is likely the last chance President Trump will give Iran before launching a massive U.S.-Israeli military operation that could directly target Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, U.S. officials say.
State of play: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told CBS' "Face the Nation" that expects to meet Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Geneva on Thursday.
- Witkoff and Kushner have both advised Trump to give the diplomacy a chance before ordering a strike.
- A senior U.S. official confirmed the planned meeting, but added the Trump administration is waiting still for Iran's proposal.
What they're saying: Araghchi told CBS he is still working on the proposal and political leadership in Tehran has yet to sign off. He said he believes the proposal will be discussed in Geneva and both sides will work on a text to try and reach "a fast deal."
- "If Iran gives a draft proposal, the U.S. is ready to meet in Geneva in order to start detailed negotiations to see if we can get a nuclear deal," a senior U.S. official said.
- The official confirmed the Trump administration and Iran may also discuss the possibility of an interim agreement before a full nuclear deal is agreed.
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on X that the recent talks had "yielded encouraging signals" but Iran was prepared for "any potential scenario."
Driving the news: During the last round of talks in Geneva last Tuesday, Witkoff and Kushner asked Araghchi for a detailed written proposal from Iran within days.
- Witkoff and Kushner told Araghchi that Trump's position is "zero enrichment" of uranium on Iranian soil, but at the same time said the U.S. is willing to consider an Iranian proposal that includes "token enrichment" if Iran can prove the plan blocks every path to a nuclear weapon.
- Araghchi said on Friday in an interview on MS Now that he will finish drafting the proposal this weekend and will deliver it to Witkoff and Kushner once the political leadership in Tehran approves it.
The other side: Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) lamented to Axios on Saturday that several people around President Trump are advising him not to bomb Iran. Graham urged the president to ignore them.
- "I understand concerns about major military operations in the Middle East given past entanglements. However, the voices who counsel against getting entangled seem to ignore the consequences of letting evil go unchecked," Graham said.
- Trump's advisers say the president could change course and order a strike at any time, but that many on his team are currently advising patience.
Editor's note: This story was updated with comments from Araghchi and a U.S. official, and the date of the planned meeting was updated from Friday to Thursday.
