Iran and the United States concluded the third round of indirect nuclear talks in Geneva on Thursday without announcing a deal, leaving tensions high amid a U.S. military buildup in the Middle East.

The negotiations, mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi at the Omani diplomatic residence along Lake Geneva, lasted several hours and focused exclusively on Iran's nuclear program. U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner represented Washington, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi led Tehran's delegation.

Al-Busaidi described the discussions as featuring "significant progress," with "creative and positive ideas" exchanged, and announced that technical-level talks would resume next week in Vienna, home of the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency. Araghchi called the session "one of our most intense and longest rounds of negotiations," noting "good progress" and understandings on some issues, though differences persisted on others. He emphasized Iran's determination to continue uranium enrichment domestically and seek sanctions relief.

The talks come as President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Iran, threatening military action if no agreement is reached and deploying significant U.S. forces, including the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, to the region. In his recent State of the Union address, Trump reiterated that he would not allow Iran, which he called the world's top sponsor of terror, to acquire nuclear weapons.

These negotiations are part of a series that began in April 2025 following Trump's letter to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei proposing talks with a two-month deadline. Initial rounds in Oman and Rome stalled amid escalating tensions, including Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025. Talks resumed this month in Muscat on February 6, described by Iran as a "good start."

Key sticking points include Iran's insistence on its right to uranium enrichment for peaceful purposes and rejection of U.S. demands for zero enrichment or stockpile transfers abroad. Tehran has proposed diluting some of its 60-percent enriched uranium stockpile domestically in exchange for sanctions relief and economic opportunities, but Washington maintains no enrichment on Iranian soil. The current round excluded discussions on Iran's ballistic missiles or regional proxies.

Iranian state media reported Tehran handed over written proposals via the Omani mediator, underscoring its positions on enrichment and sanctions. With IAEA board meetings approaching on March 6, the outcome of these talks could influence potential censure of Iran.

Both sides expressed seriousness about reaching a deal, but analysts note time is short given military posturing and Iran's economic strains, including inflation exceeding 60 percent.