In a recent interview, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff recounted the final moments of nuclear negotiations with Iran held in Geneva. He stressed that the talks demonstrated that Tehran was not negotiating in good faith and had no actual intention of reaching an agreement regarding its nuclear program. This lack of good faith reportedly influenced President Donald Trump's decision to proceed toward a military confrontation with Iran.

Witkoff further elaborated that Iranian officials, during the negotiations, claimed readiness to offer concessions but failed to provide any tangible evidence to back their assertions. This led the American negotiating team to question the authority of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, suggesting that he did not exhibit a willingness to make binding decisions during the talks. Witkoff highlighted an incident where Araghchi reportedly yelled during the final session, indicating high tensions and miscommunication between the two sides.

On the Iranian side, Araghchi had previously described the last round of talks with Washington as the 'most fruitful,' just days before the US and Israel launched a joint military attack. This contradiction reflects the complexities and differing narratives surrounding the negotiations, particularly how each side perceives the progress and outcomes of the discussions. The strained relations and contrasting accounts suggest a volatile environment as both nations moved closer to conflict.