Jonathan Powell Britain’s national security adviser Jonathan Powell believed a diplomatic breakthrough with Iran was within reach just days before the United States and Israel launched their military campaign, according to multiple sources familiar with the talks. Powell attended the final round of indirect negotiations in Geneva and judged Tehran’s proposals on its nuclear programme “surprising” and substantial enough to prevent an immediate slide into war. Two days after the talks ended — and with technical negotiations scheduled for Vienna — the US and Israel began strikes on Iranian targets. Powell was present at meetings held at the residence of Oman’s ambassador in Cologny, where the talks were mediated by Omani foreign minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi. Unexpected concessions from Tehran Officials briefed on the discussions say Iran offered several concessions that surprised Western negotiators. Tehran reportedly proposed permanently abandoning stockpiles of highly enriched uranium and agreed to down-blend roughly 400kg already produced under supervision from the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran also signalled it could pause domestic uranium enrichment for three to five years, though US negotiators later pushed for a 10-year halt. Diplomats involved in the process believed the proposals represented real progress, even if a final agreement had not yet been reached. Powell, who previously served as chief of staff to Tony Blair, reportedly brought a UK technical team to the talks amid concerns that Washington’s delegation lacked nuclear expertise. Diplomacy halted as war began The US negotiating team was led by Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff, who relied heavily on technical input from IAEA chief Rafael Grossi during discussions. A follow-up round of negotiations scheduled for 2 March in Vienna never took place. The US and Israel launched their attack on Iran two days earlier. Powell’s presence at the talks helps explain Britain’s reluctance to back the military action. Officials in Downing Street reportedly saw no clear evidence of an imminent Iranian nuclear breakout or missile threat to Europe. The episode has strained relations between Keir Starmer and Donald Trump, with Washington accusing Britain of failing to support the campaign. For London, the issue remains simple: war began while diplomacy, in its view, was still very much alive. UK security adviser attended US-Iran talks and judged deal was within reach
