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3. U.S. Official to TIB: Thursday’s Geneva Talks with Iran Focused on De-Escalation

In a statement to This is Beirut, a senior U.S. official expressed that the U.S. seeks de-escalation in Thursday’s Geneva talks with Iranian officials, as the State Department orders the departure of non-essential personnel from the U.S. embassy in Beirut.

The official stated that “the United States will meet Iran in Geneva this Thursday with a clear objective: measurable de-escalation backed by verifiable steps.”

“Because current intelligence indicates a real possibility that tensions with Iran and its affiliated forces, including Hezbollah, could widen into regional conflict,” they added, “we directed the departure of non-essential personnel from our embassy in Lebanon to reduce risk to American lives.”

On the nuclear issue, the official commented that “we remain firmly focused on Iran’s nuclear enrichment activity and require enforceable limits that meet international security expectations.”

Despite de-escalation as a stated goal, the official reiterated that U.S. military assets remain positioned in the Middle East and warns of U.S. response readiness if hostility supersedes de-escalation.

“Our forces are positioned to protect U.S. interests and respond immediately to any hostile action. Iran’s leadership now faces a decisive moment between responsible engagement and serious consequences,” they said.