The damage caused by recent US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities added a layer of technical and political complexity to Tuesday’s indirect nuclear talks in Geneva, as both sides grappled with the challenge of verifying Iran’s remaining nuclear capabilities when much of the infrastructure in question had been destroyed. The session ended with agreement on guiding principles, but the verification question remained far from resolved.
Foreign Minister Araghchi, who had met with IAEA Director General Grossi the previous day, confirmed that verification issues had been central to the talks. He described the session as constructive and said both sides had agreed to exchange draft texts before a third meeting in roughly two weeks. Iran’s approach to IAEA access at the damaged sites was a key part of its confidence-building package.
The challenge for inspectors is significant: the three main Iranian nuclear sites hit by US strikes are currently accessible only to a small team of IAEA personnel who lack the comprehensive access needed to assess how much enrichment capacity has been destroyed and how quickly it could be rebuilt. Any nuclear deal would require IAEA teams to conduct a thorough assessment — a process Iran offered to facilitate in exchange for the right conditions.
Iran’s broader offer included the dilution of its 40-kilogram stockpile of 60% enriched uranium, expanded inspector access, and a possible temporary enrichment suspension. The US demanded a complete halt to domestic enrichment and full verification rights — positions that Iran accepted in part and rejected in part, depending on the specific element.
Beyond the technical complexity, the political backdrop remained charged. Khamenei threatened US warships in the Gulf. Iran conducted military exercises near the Strait of Hormuz. Inside Iran, the prosecution of over 10,000 protesters continued, and the political system was under pressure from all sides. The talks in Geneva represented a careful effort to find order amid an enormous amount of disorder.