Iran and the United States are scheduled to hold a third round of nuclear negotiations in Geneva on Thursday, Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi confirmed, as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate.
“Pleased to confirm US-Iran negotiations are now set for Geneva this Thursday, with a positive push to go the extra mile towards finalizing the deal,” Al Busaidi wrote in a post on X.
The talks come against the backdrop of an increased US military presence across the Middle East and mounting pressure on Tehran to reach an agreement swiftly. US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran has “10 to 15 days” to strike a deal with Washington or face consequences.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “We’re either going to get a deal, or it’s going to be unfortunate for them… 10–15 days would be enough time.”
According to a report by The New York Times, hundreds of American service members have been relocated from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, citing Pentagon officials, as the US strengthens its regional posture.
Similar logistical adjustments have reportedly taken place at American installations in Bahrain — home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet — as well as in Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
Meanwhile, The Jerusalem Post, citing Asian News International, reported that Iran’s mission to the United Nations warned that in the event of a US attack, “all bases, facilities and assets of the hostile force in the region would constitute legitimate targets.”
Security officials have expressed concern that the 30,000 to 40,000 US troops stationed across the Middle East could become primary targets if tensions escalate into a broader conflict. Analysts note that any such confrontation would differ markedly from the June 2025 strike on Al Udeid, during which Iranian authorities reportedly provided advance notice to the United States.
In response to the growing risks, Washington is said to be reinforcing its defensive posture by deploying additional air defence systems to the region. Reports also indicate that two US aircraft carriers are being kept at a considerable distance from Iranian territory to reduce their vulnerability to potential retaliatory strikes.
