US and Iranian negotiators are set to meet in Geneva on Thursday for a new round of nuclear talks, as senior officials in Washington warn that Tehran could eventually pose a direct military threat to the continental United States.

The meeting, scheduled to take place in Geneva, marks the third round of nuclear negotiations between the two sides this year. It comes amid rising tensions and a continued US military build-up in the Middle East.

On Wednesday, US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Iran of rebuilding and expanding elements of its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. They warned that Tehran could eventually develop the capability to strike the US mainland.

Their remarks followed statements by US President Donald Trump during his State of the Union address, in which he claimed Iran would “soon” have the ability to target the continental United States.

Rubio referenced US strikes carried out on June 22, 2025, during the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, stating that Iran’s nuclear program had been “obliterated” but was now showing signs of reconstruction.

“After their nuclear program was obliterated, they were told not to try to restart it, yet here they are,” Rubio said. “They're not enriching uranium right now, but they're trying to get to the point where they ultimately can.”

Vance reiterated Washington’s core position, saying: “The principle is very simple: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.”

While Tehran maintains that its nuclear activities are solely for civilian purposes, US officials suspect the country is seeking to enrich uranium to weapons-grade levels. Rubio also raised concerns about Iran’s ballistic missile program, calling Tehran’s refusal to discuss missiles in the Geneva talks a “big, big problem.”

“Beyond just the nuclear program, they possess these conventional weapons that are solely designed to attack America and attack Americans if they so choose,” Rubio said. He further claimed that Iran already has missiles capable of reaching much of Europe and is attempting to develop systems that could target the US mainland.

Iran has warned that it would exercise its right to self-defense in the event of a US attack, potentially launching retaliatory strikes against American interests in the region. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged that Tehran currently lacks the capability to strike the continental United States.

In comments cited by Associated Press, two Iranian officials dismissed the Trump administration’s allegations as “big lies,” expressing hope that the Geneva negotiations could lead to an agreement through what they described as “honorable diplomacy.”

Rubio stated that President Trump prefers a diplomatic solution but emphasized that tangible progress must be made during Thursday’s talks.