Extension of Geneva negotiations into the night suggest gaps between the two sides remain
Middle East crisis – live updates
High-stakes talks between the US and Iran over a permanent end to Tehran’s nuclear programme were to continue late into the night on Thursday, with apparent gaps between the two sides leaving open the possibility that Donald Trump will launch an unprecedented punitive military assault on Iran.
Iran’s foreign ministry tried to dampen suggestions that the talks in Geneva had broken down, insisting new ideas had been raised requiring more consultation in both capitals.
To the frustration of Tehran’s team, the lead US negotiator, Steve Witkoff, had to break off his talks with Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, to drive across the Swiss city to talks to Ukrainian negotiators before a planned return.
