United States and Iranian officials are meeting in Geneva for a third round of indirect talks seen as crucial to averting conflict, with President Donald Trump threatening to strike Iran if a nuclear deal is not reached.

The discussions come amid the largest US military build-up in the Middle East since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, and with Iran vowing to respond to an attack with force.

The talks are again being mediated by Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who said negotiators had demonstrated unprecedented openness to new and creative ideas and solutions.

But the chances of an agreement remain unclear as Trump has said he prefers to solve the crisis through diplomacy, while considering a limited strike on Iran to pressure its leaders to accept a deal.

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