Iran says Iran-US negotiations are very serious and thorough; US media says the US has made tough demands and Trump has clear differences with the military.

Iran says Iran-US negotiations are very serious and thorough; US media says the US has made tough demands and Trump has clear differences with the military.

The US-Iran nuclear negotiations in Geneva have entered a crucial round, with significant differences in positions. Iran states the talks are "very deep and serious," but the gap between the US's tough demands and Iran's core stance is clearly visible.

On Thursday the 26th local time, the third round of US-Iran negotiations was held in Geneva, Switzerland, pausing after about three hours. According to CCTV News, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei, who participated in the third round, said this round of talks was very deep, and the US and Iranian delegations would continue negotiations at 5:30 pm Geneva time on the 26th. "Both sides have made very important and feasible proposals in the nuclear field and sanction removal, advancing the discussions seriously."

Baghaei issued a statement through Iranian national media, saying the negotiations were "very serious," and "hopes tonight the talks on sanctions relief and nuclear issues will continue in a pragmatic manner."

Baghaei did not disclose details of the talks, but said the Iranian delegation is "full of confidence" in the talks: "We must continue working and wait and see." He added, "Contradictory remarks from foreign media and some US officials continue to deepen suspicion. For us, the focus is on the final result. We always adhere to our stance and align words with deeds."

This round of negotiations is seen externally as a key point for achieving an agreement. According to Xinhua quoting US media, the US will put forward tough demands in the negotiations, and there remain huge differences. US representatives are expected to demand Iran dismantle its main nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, transfer all enriched uranium to the US, and insist any agreement must be "permanently valid."

CCTV mentioned that regarding whether to take military action against Iran, there are significant differences between the US military and President Trump.

The Iranian side, through official media, clearly rejected dismantling nuclear facilities or transferring uranium stockpiles, insisting on retaining sovereignty over uranium enrichment, while making sanction removal the primary agenda for negotiations.

The oil market is closely watching negotiation progress. International crude oil futures dropped at least 2% in European session lows. Brent crude fell to $69.16, down nearly 2.4% intraday; US WTI crude fell to $63.6, down nearly 2.8% intraday.

In early US trading, Iranian national television reported that some negotiations with the US were direct, Iran would not allow uranium enrichment to leave the country, and crude oil prices rebounded and turned upward in early trading. By the end of early US trading, Brent oil once rose past $72.60, up nearly 2.5% intraday, US oil rose past $66.70, up nearly 2% intraday.

Iran Demonstrates Sincerity in Negotiations, Submits Complete Proposal

Iran has taken a more proactive stance in this round of talks.

According to Xinhua quoting Iran's Mehr News Agency, Iran has submitted a negotiating proposal to the US, saying the move is to "actually test America's commitment to diplomacy," transferred to the US by Omani Foreign Minister Badr. Sources say if the White House rejects the proposal, it will "further fuel doubts about US sincerity."

An Iranian senior official told Middle Eastern media that Iran's proposal includes technical and practical matters to prove Iran does not intend to develop nuclear weapons and proposes lowering uranium stocks to low-enrichment levels under IAEA supervision and freezing enrichment activities temporarily. The official said the proposal does not involve missile systems or defense projects: "principles of permanent zero enrichment, dismantling nuclear facilities, and transferring uranium stocks were completely rejected."

According to CCTV News, on Thursday the 26th local time, Iranian President Pezehiziyan again emphasized Iran will not develop nuclear weapons. He said Trump asks Iran to declare it will not possess nuclear weapons; in fact, Iran has already stated this many times. The Iranian supreme leader has also stated, Iran will not pursue nuclear weapons.

Also according to CCTV, on the same day Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Defense Committee, said on social media that if the main agenda of talks between Iran and the US is Iran not developing nuclear weapons, "a quick agreement is possible," and Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi has sufficient authority and support.

US Negotiators Pressured by Domestic Hawks

US media report US negotiating representatives—Presidential Envoy Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Kushner—face dual pressure from government hawks and Republican congressmen, required not to sign any agreement that might be criticized as "weak."

The US’s core demands are said to include: Iran must completely stop uranium enrichment activities, dismantle the main nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, and transfer current enriched uranium stocks to the US. The US also insists the agreement must be permanently valid, with no sunset clause allowed.

On the sanctions issue, the US is currently only willing to offer minimal sanction relief, while Iran hopes for a major easing to boost its struggling economy.

US Secretary of State Rubio said Wednesday that Iran's insistence not to discuss the ballistic missile issue "is a very big problem." Republican Senator Lindsey Graham was even more direct: If the US allows Iran to retain any uranium enrichment capability "just to save Iran's face," "then forget it."

Reports say the US negotiation team may make one concession—possibly allowing Iran to restart the Tehran nuclear reactor to handle extremely low-enrichment uranium for medical purposes, but this limited compromise is also facing strong domestic hawk opposition.

Mediators Say All Sides Open-Minded, Talks May Extend to Fourth Round

Omani Foreign Minister Badr said Thursday via social media that both sides exchanged "creative and positive ideas" and are open to "new, creative ideas and solutions," saying "more progress is expected."

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei expressed confidence in a statement, but also hinted the process may need to extend beyond the current round. “Both sides have made important proposals and need to consult with their capitals," he said, indicating the wording suggests several more rounds may be needed to reach an agreement.

According to Iranian national television, parts of this round of talks were conducted directly, with delegates from both sides communicating face-to-face, rather than through Omani officials throughout, seen externally as a signal of substantive progress. The IAEA Director General is also likely to participate in subsequent talks.

Military Pressure Runs Parallel to Diplomatic Process, Markets Remain Alert

The talks are held under ongoing military pressure. The US has deployed two carrier strike groups to the Middle East and more than 150 warplanes to bases in Europe and the Middle East; according to CCTV, it is the largest US military deployment in the region since the 2003 Iraq war.

Trump had set March 1-6 as the final deadline for talks and threatened military action against Iran if an agreement could not be reached. CCTV noted that US media revealed clear differences between the US military and Trump over whether to take military action.

Furthermore, according to Huanqiu, US media reported Wednesday that some of Trump's top advisors privately favor letting Israel act against Iran first, provoking Iranian retaliation and thus providing domestic political support for US intervention. White House spokespeople later responded, "Only President Trump himself knows what he may or may not do."

Energy markets are tracking negotiation developments in real time. Global traders are watching Persian Gulf tensions closely; if oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz are interrupted, international oil prices will face major upward pressure. Brent oil has risen over 16% so far this year, mainly driven by US-Iran tensions.

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