Iran, United States begin new talks as trump warns of consequences

GENEVA, Feb 17: Iran and the United States began fresh talks in Geneva on Tuesday, as President Donald Trump warned of consequences should Tehran fail to strike a deal.

Mediated by Oman, the discussions are aimed at averting the possibility of US military action, with Tehran expressing cautious optimism at Washington's "more realistic" position on its nuclear programme.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to intervene militarily against Iran, first over a deadly crackdown on protesters last month and then more recently over its nuclear programme.

"I don't think they want the consequences of not making a deal," he told reporters aboard Air Force One ahead of the talks.

Iranian state TV reported on Tuesday that the indirect talks had begun with the two sides exchanging messages through Omani mediators.

On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with his Omani counterpart Badr Albusaidi in Geneva to discuss his country's position "regarding nuclear issues and sanctions relief".

He also stressed Tehran's "seriousness in using result-oriented diplomacy to secure the legitimate interests and rights of the Iranian people" and preserve peace in the region, according to a ministry statement.

Meanwhile, Iran on Tuesday said the lifting of US sanctions was an integral part of any nuclear deal with the United States, as talks between the two countries began in Geneva.

"Sanctions lifting is part and parcel of any deal on the nuclear issue," said foreign ministry spokesman Emsaeil Baqaei in a video broadcast by the English-language state-run Press TV.    �"AFP