US and Iran wrap up indirect nuclear talks as American forces mass in Middle East

Iran and the United States wrapped up another round of indirect talks in Geneva, Switzerland on Thursday aimed at reaching a deal on Tehran’s nuclear programme and potentially averting another war as the US gathers a massive fleet of aircraft and warships in the Middle East.US President Donald Trump wants a deal to constrain Iran’s nuclear programme and he sees an opportunity while the country is struggling at home, with growing dissent following nationwide protests. Iran also hopes to avert a war but maintains it has the right to enrich uranium and does not want to discuss other issues, such as its long-range missile programme or support for armed groups including Hamas and Hezbollah.Oman’s foreign minister, who is mediating the talks, said on Thursday that they had ended but “will resume soon”. Badr al-Busaidi wrote on social media that there had been “significant progress in the negotiation” without elaborating.He said technical-level talks would take place on Monday in Vienna, home to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). There was no immediate comment from US or Iranian officials.If America attacks, Iran has said US military bases in the region would be considered legitimate targets, putting at risk tens of thousands of American service members. Iran has also threatened to attack Israel, meaning a regional war again could erupt across the Middle East.“There would be no victory for anybody – it would be a devastating war,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told India Today in an interview filmed on Wednesday just before he flew to Geneva.