U.S. and Iran hold third round of nuclear talks as carrier groups mass in Gulf

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran's negotiators held indirect talks in Geneva mediated by Oman, while two US carrier strike groups and over 100 fighter jets positioned in the Persian Gulf. The talks ended without a deal after Iran refused zero-enrichment demands and insisted on lifting all sanctions. Technical follow-up sessions were scheduled in Vienna for the following week, but strikes were launched two days later.