Iran Demands US Drop "Excessive" Terms for Nuclear Deal Progress

In a Geneva hotel conference room, Iranian and American officials wrapped up three days of indirect talks mediated by Oman, then departed to consult with their respective governments. But Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi's latest remarks reveal the tension still simmering beneath the diplomatic surface.

Iran Sets Conditions for Progress

Araghchi told his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdel Ati on Friday that "success on this path requires seriousness and realism on the part of the other side and avoidance of any miscalculation and excessive demands," according to ISNA news agency. While he didn't specify which demands he considers excessive, the target of his criticism was clear.

This marked a shift in tone from his earlier, more optimistic assessment of the Geneva talks as the "most intense so far" with notable "progress." He had previously said both sides reached "mutual understanding that we will continue to engage in a more detailed manner on matters that are essential to any deal – including sanctions termination and nuclear-related steps."

The US has demanded Iran completely dismantle its nuclear infrastructure, limit its ballistic missile arsenal, and stop supporting regional allies since talks resumed last month. While Tehran has shown flexibility on discussing uranium enrichment limits for civilian use, it treats missiles and proxy relationships as non-negotiable red lines.

Diplomacy Under Military Shadow

President Donald Trump says he prefers a diplomatic solution but has repeatedly threatened to bomb Iran if it rejects a deal. The US has deployed its largest military presence in the region since the 2003 Iraq invasion, including the world's biggest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, which arrived Friday at Israel's Haifa port.

Iran responds that while it won't initiate war, it's prepared to retaliate if attacked, threatening to strike US bases across the region. Despite the harsh rhetoric from both sides, negotiations continue with technical teams scheduled to meet in Vienna in coming days.

Mass Diplomatic Exodus

The military buildup has triggered an unprecedented wave of diplomatic evacuations. China told its citizens to leave Iran "as soon as possible" on Friday. The US authorized departure of non-emergency embassy staff from Israel – the same order issued for Lebanon earlier this week. Canada, India, the UK, and Poland have issued similar directives.

These moves signal something beyond routine precaution. Even after the US assassinated Iranian general Soleimani in 2020, evacuations weren't this widespread. The current scale suggests officials see genuine risk of regional escalation that could spiral beyond anyone's control.

The Pressure Cooker Strategy

Both sides are essentially playing diplomatic chicken – negotiating while simultaneously ramping up military pressure. The US hopes overwhelming force will compel Iranian concessions. Iran calculates that regional chaos would hurt American interests more than its own, given its network of allies from Lebanon to Yemen.

But this strategy carries enormous risks. Military buildups create their own momentum, where miscalculation or accident can trigger conflicts nobody actually wants. The question becomes whether either side can step back from the brink while still claiming victory at home.