Iran and the United States are set to hold a third round of nuclear talks on Thursday in Geneva, Oman’s foreign minister Badr Al Busaidi said, amid rising tensions between the two countries.“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,” Badr Al Busaidi said in a post on X.The negotiations come as Washington increases its military presence across the Middle East and presses Tehran to quickly agree to a nuclear deal. US President Donald Trump has warned Iran to reach an agreement with the United States within 10 to 15 days or “it’s going to be unfortunate.”Interacting with reporters on Thursday, the US President 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.”The New York Times reported that hundreds of servicemen have been transferred from the Al Udeid Air Base, citing Pentagon officials, as the United States strengthens its regional posture.Similar logistical shifts have been identified at American facilities in Bahrain, home to the US Navy 5th Fleet, as well as in Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.The Jerusalem Post, citing Asian News International, reported a warning from the Iranian mission to the United Nations that, in case of an American attack, “all bases, facilities, and assets of the hostile force in the region would constitute legitimate targets.”Officials are concerned that the 30,000 to 40,000 US troops deployed across the region could become primary targets of the Islamic Republic in the event of an all-out war. Military experts said such a confrontation would differ significantly from the strike on Al Udeid in June 2025, during which Iranian authorities provided the US with advance notice.In response, the US is reportedly reinforcing its regional posture by moving air defence systems into the Middle East to protect its forces and interests. It has also decided to keep two aircraft carriers at a significant distance from Iranian territory to avoid becoming easy targets for retaliation.
