Iran meets U.N. nuclear watchdog in Geneva ahead of U.S. talks

Iran's foreign minister met the IAEA director-general in Geneva before a second round of indirect U.S.-Iran negotiations hosted by Oman, while Iran held naval drills as the U.S. moved additional carrier assets to the region.

Iran's foreign minister held talks in Geneva on Monday with the director-general of the U.N. nuclear watchdog as a second round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States approaches. Officials say Oman is hosting the next round of U.S.-Iran negotiations on Tuesday. Iran announced naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz and nearby waters at the same time that U.S. leaders said additional carrier forces were being sent to the region. The meeting with the International Atomic Energy Agency is a step after Tehran had suspended some cooperation following last year's war. Key facts: - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi in Geneva and said he came with ideas for a fair deal and that Iran would not submit to threats. - Oman is hosting a second round of indirect U.S.-Iran talks scheduled for Tuesday, following an initial round on Feb. 6. - Iran announced Revolutionary Guard naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman; risk analysts reported a radio warning about a likely live-fire exercise. - U.S. President Donald Trump said the USS Gerald R. Ford was being sent to the Middle East as part of a broader military buildup in the region. - The IAEA has reported limited verification access since the June war and has said it cannot verify the status of Iran's near weapons-grade uranium stockpile; Iran previously enriched uranium to about 60% purity. Summary: The meetings reflect parallel diplomatic and military developments as parties discuss Iran's nuclear program. The immediate next step is the second round of indirect U.S.-Iran negotiations in Geneva hosted by Oman on Tuesday; outcomes are undetermined at this time.