UK security adviser attended US-Iran talks and judged deal was within reach

UK Security Adviser Attended US-Iran Talks and Believed Deal Was Achievable

The Guardian has uncovered that Jonathan Powell, Britain’s national security adviser, participated in the final negotiations between the United States and Iran, concluding that Tehran’s nuclear program proposal held enough promise to avoid a swift military escalation. According to multiple sources, Powell noted considerable progress in late February’s Geneva discussions and described the Iranian offer as “surprising.”

Two days following the talks, the US and Israel proceeded with an attack on Iran, despite the UK’s assessment of the diplomatic momentum. Powell’s firsthand involvement and detailed knowledge of the negotiations were confirmed by three separate sources. One participant revealed he was present at the Oman ambassadorial residence in Geneva, acting as a consultant, underscoring concerns about the US team’s expertise led by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

Kushner and Witkoff had invited Rafael Grossi, the International Atomic Energy Agency’s director general, to Geneva to provide technical insight. However, Kushner later insisted that the team possessed “a pretty deep understanding of the issues that matter in this.” Nuclear specialists criticized Witkoff’s statements as containing fundamental inaccuracies.

“Jonathan thought there was a deal to be done, but Iran were not quite there yet, especially on the issue of UN inspections of its nuclear sites,” said a western diplomat.

Powell’s mediation experience, along with his collaboration with a UK Cabinet Office expert, was highlighted by one source. A former official, briefed by Geneva participants, added: “Witkoff and Kushner did not bring a US technical team with them. They used Grossi as their technical expert, but that is not his job. So Jonathan Powell took his own team.”

According to this former official, the British team was taken aback by the Iranian proposal, which, while notable, fell short of a full agreement. “It was not a complete deal, but it was progress and was unlikely to be the Iranians’ final offer,” they explained. The UK anticipated further negotiations in Vienna on March 2nd, yet those talks were abandoned after the attack.

The UK’s hesitation to endorse the strike may be partly attributed to Powell’s active role in the Geneva discussions, which revealed the nation’s close involvement in the talks. This insight allowed Britain to determine that diplomatic alternatives still existed, rendering the US attack both premature and unlawful in their view.

Downing Street remained silent on Powell’s presence at the Geneva meetings or his evaluation of the talks. Meanwhile, Keir Starmer faced criticism from Trump for not fully supporting the strike, particularly after initially denying the use of British military bases for American operations. The attack on UK Gulf allies by Iran reportedly prompted Starmer’s later approval.

Trump also warned that Nato’s European members might risk unity if they failed to assist in opening the Strait of Hormuz, a request that was not accepted. The indirect talks in Geneva were mediated by Oman’s foreign minister, Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi. Gulf diplomats did not clarify the basis for Powell’s access to the discussions, though his long-standing relationship with the US, including his tenure as Tony Blair’s chief of staff, likely played a role.

UK officials later praised Iran’s readiness to commit to a permanent agreement, unlike the 2015 nuclear deal, which included sunset clauses. This commitment, along with Iran’s agreement to down-blend its 440kg stockpile of highly enriched uranium, may have influenced Britain’s stance during the crisis.